reptile

noun

1. 1

   A (typically scaly and egg-laying) cold-blooded vertebrate tetrapod animal, of the class Reptilia (excluding birds), such as a lizard, turtle, snake, crocodile, alligator, etc.

2. 2

   Any member of the class Reptilia, including birds.

3. 3

   datedAny creeping or crawling animal, one that moves along close to the ground on its belly or on short legs, such as a lizard, snake, salamander, frog, toad, or scorpion.

4. 4

   datedAn animal belonging to either the class Reptilia or the class Amphibia.

5. 5

   datedAn ectothermic, scaly animal, whether sauropsid or synapsid, of the clade Amniota.

   Prior to the 1990s, the non-mammalian synapsids were considered true reptiles.

   mammal-like reptile

6. 6

   datedAn abject, grovelling, loathsome or repulsive person.

   This work may, indeed, be considered as a great creation of our own; and for a little reptile of a critic to presume to find fault with any of its parts, without knowing the manner in which the whole is connected, and before he comes to the final catastrophe, is a most presumptuous absurdity.

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

   […] If I pitied you for crying and looking so very frightened, you should spurn such pity. Ellen, tell him how disgraceful this conduct is. Rise, and don’t degrade yourself into an abject reptile—don’t!

adjective

1. 1

   Creeping; moving on the belly, or by means of small and short legs.

2. 2

   Grovelling; low; vulgar.

   a reptile race or crew reptile vices

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

   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!

Forms

plural

reptiles