Achordate

/eɪˈkɔːrdeɪt/ noun

Definition

An animal that lacks a notochord or spinal cord; an invertebrate.

Etymology

From Greek 'a-' (without) + 'chordata' (possessing a cord) + '-ate' (having), zoological term for non-vertebrate animals.

Kelly Says

While technically correct, 'achordate' is an odd way to define 99% of all animal species—it's like defining people by what they don't have rather than what makes them special, which is why biologists prefer more specific group names!

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