| 释义 |
▪ I. vertebrate, a. and n.|ˈvɜːtɪbrət|
[ad. L. vertebrāt-us (Pliny), jointed, articulated, f. vertebra vertebra. Cf. prec. and invertebrate.]
A. adj.
1. Zool. Of or belonging to the Vertebrata; characterized by having a backbone or spinal column. Freq. in vertebrate animal.
1826Kirby & Sp. Entomol. xxviii. III. 42 Size forms a pretty accurate distinction between insects and the great bulk of vertebrate animals. a1843Encycl. Metrop. (1845) VII. 292 The passive motive Organs or Skeleton of the Vertebrate Series of Animals. 1870Gillmore tr. Figuier's Rept. & Birds Introd. 4 A bountiful Creator appears to have adopted one general plan in the organization of all the vertebrate creation. 1881Mivart in Nature No. 615. 337 The highest of them, called the vertebrate sub-kingdom..comprises ourselves, with all beasts, birds, reptiles, efts, frogs and toads, and fishes.
Comb.1863Dana Man. Geol. 276 In most of these vertebrate-tailed species the vertebral column extends into the upper lobe of the tail.
b. Bot. (See quot.)
1832Lindley Introd. Bot. 390 Vertebrate,..when the leaf is contracted at intervals, there being an articulation at each contraction; as in Cussonia spicata.
2. Of or pertaining to, characteristic of, found in, a vertebrated animal or animals.
1848Owen (title), On the Archetype and Homologies of the Vertebrate Skeleton. 1854H. Miller Sch. & Schm. xxi. (1860) 229/1 The second age of vertebrate existence on our planet. 1857H. Spencer in Westm. Rev. Apr. 450 The earliest known vertebrate remains are those of Fishes. 1883Encycl. Brit. XVI. 663/2 In the vertebrate eye, the filaments of the optic nerve penetrate the retina.
fig.1872W. Minto Eng. Prose Lit. i. iii. 201 A vertebrate skeleton of the work.
3. fig.
a. Of persons: Having connective mental powers.
1879O. W. Holmes Motley xix. 146 The archivists and annalists will pile up facts..until the vertebrate historian comes with his generalizing ideas.
b. Of writings, etc.: Connectedly put together; characterized by strength or consistency.
1882Gosse in Grosart Spenser III. p. xlvi, Ramsay's Gentle Shepherd..remains the most vertebrate and interesting bucolic drama produced in Great Britain. 1884Athenæum 15 Nov. 635/2 The new comedy..is more than a little lachrymose and is scarcely vertebrate. 1900Sat. Rev. 24 Mar. 367 We have the right..to expect something more vertebrate, if he is to take place in literature.
B. n. A member of the Vertebrata; a vertebrate animal.
1826Kirby & Sp. Entomol. xlv. IV. 240 The antennæ of insects are analogous to ears in Vertebrates. 1840Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 33 The general plan of their organization is not so uniform..as that of the vertebrates. 1870F. C. Bowen Logic vi. 155 Some wingless animals are not vertebrates.
▪ II. ˈvertebrate, v.
[f. prec.]
trans. To connect or join after the manner of vertebræ.
1891in Cent. Dict. 1894Blackmore Perlycross 129 As like each other as three peas vertebrated in one pod. 1910Q. Rev. Jan. 69 They [sc. satires] were written in rough dialect and vertebrated with peasant phrases and peasant wit. |