Reptile

Quick meaning: Reptile is a noun meaning (zoology, cladistically) Any member of Reptilia, including birds.

Meaning

(zoology, cladistically) Any member of Reptilia, including birds.

More Meanings

1. (loosely, historical) A reptile or amphibian.
2. (figuratively, dated) A mean, grovelling, loathsome or repulsive person.
3. Creeping; moving on the belly, or by means of small and short legs.
4. Grovelling; low; vulgar.
5. (informal) Any animal of the class Reptilia that is not a bird — a cold-blooded vertebrate with dry scales that usually lays eggs, such as a lizard, snake, turtle, crocodile, alligator, etc.

Example Sentences

a reptile race or crew reptile vices

There is also a false, reptile prudence, the result not of caution, but of fear.

"That reptile," whispered Pott, catching Mr. Pickwick by the arm, and pointing towards the stranger. "That reptile — Slurk, of the Independent!"

My herald shall appoint a week, / And let the recreant traitors seek / My tournay court—that there and then / I may dislodge their reptile souls / From the bodies and forms of men!

Word Forms

• reptiles

Synonyms for reptile

Depending on context, synonyms include creeper, reptilious, creeping, crawling, reptitious, despicable.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include reptilian, fishes, vascular, amphibians, arthropods, mammals.

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