I. ˈrept ə l, -ˌtīl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English reptil, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French reptile (feminine), irregular from Late Latin reptile (neuter), from neuter of reptilis, adjective, reptant, from Latin reptus (past participle of repere to creep) + -ilis -ile; akin to Old High German reba tendril, Lithuanian rėplioti to creep
1. : an animal that crawls or moves (as a snake) on its belly or (as a lizard) on small short legs
2.
a. : a vertebrate of the class Reptilia
b. : amphibian 1b — not used technically
3. : one held to resemble a reptile : a person having a low, groveling, mean, repulsive, or despicable character
II. adjective
Etymology: Late Latin reptilis
1. : moving on the belly or on small and short legs : creeping , reptant
2. : having characteristics associated with a reptile : groveling , despicable , low , malignant , mean
a false reptile prudence, the result not of caution but of fear — Edmund Burke
reptile press
3. : of, of the nature of, or relating to a reptile, reptiles, or the Reptilia