Definition of reptile
1 : an animal that crawls or moves on its belly (such as a snake) or on small short legs (such as a lizard)
2 : any of a class (Reptilia) of cold-blooded, air-breathing, usually egg-laying vertebrates that include the alligators and crocodiles, lizards, snakes, turtles, and extinct related forms (such as dinosaurs and pterosaurs) and that have a body typically covered with scales or bony plates and a bony skeleton with a single occipital condyle, a distinct quadrate bone usually immovably articulated with the skull, and ribs attached to the sternum
3 : a groveling or despised person
From the M-W Editors
Examples of reptile in a Sentence
He called the governor's top aide a reptile.
the actor plays a total reptile who's somehow still a hit with the ladies
Origin and Etymology of reptile
Middle English reptil, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French reptile (feminine), from Late Latin reptile (neuter), from neuter of reptilis creeping, from Latin reptus, past participle of repere to crawl; akin to Lithuanian rėplioti to crawl
First Known Use of reptile
1607
REPTILE Defined for English Language Learners
reptile
playDefinition of reptile for English Language Learners
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: an animal (such as a snake, lizard, turtle, or alligator) that has cold blood, that lays eggs, and that has a body covered with scales or hard parts
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: a person who cannot be trusted or who is not likable
REPTILE Defined for Kids
reptile
playDefinition of reptile for Students
: a cold-blooded animal (as a snake, lizard, turtle, or alligator) that breathes air and usually has the skin covered with scales or bony plates
History for reptile
Most of the animals we call reptiles creep or crawl about. Some, like snakes, crawl about on their bellies. Some, like lizards, creep about on little, short legs. The English word reptile came from a Latin word reptilis that meant “creeping,” which is derived from the verb repere meaning “to crawl.”
Learn More about reptile
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for reptile Spanish Central: Translation of reptile Nglish: Translation of reptile for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of reptile for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reptile
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