[rep.tile] n [ME reptil, fr. MF or LL; MF reptile (fem.), fr. LL reptile (neut.), fr. neut. of reptilis creeping, fr. L reptus, pp. of repere to crawl; akin to Lith replioti to crawl] (14c) 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 usu. immovably articulated with the skull, ribs attached to the sternum, and a body usu. covered with scales or bony plates
3: a groveling or despised person
[2]reptile adj (1607): characteristic of a reptile: reptilian