n.
Pronunciation: ' rep- ˌ t ī (- ə )l, -t ə l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English reptil, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French reptile (fem.), from Late Latin reptile (neut.), from neuter of reptilis creeping, from Latin reptus, past participle of repere to crawl; akin to Lithuanian r ė plioti to crawl
Date: 14th century
1 : an animal that crawls or moves on its belly (as a snake) or on small short legs (as a lizard)
2 : any of a class (Reptilia) of air-breathing vertebrates that include the alligators and crocodiles, lizards, snakes, turtles, and extinct related forms (as dinosaurs and pterosaurs) and are characterized by a completely ossified skeleton with a single occipital condyle, a distinct quadrate bone usually immovably articulated with the skull, ribs attached to the sternum, and a body usually covered with scales or bony plates
3 : a groveling or despised person