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reptile definition

rep·tile (rep′tīl′, -təl)

noun

  1. any of a class (Reptilia) of coldblooded vertebrates having lungs, an entirely bony skeleton, a body covered with scales or horny plates, and a heart with two atria and, usually, a single ventricle, including the snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodiles, and dinosaurs
  2. a mean, sneaky, groveling person

Etymology: LL(Ec) < neut. of L reptilis, crawling < reptus, pp. of repere, to creep < IE base *rēp-, to creep, crawl > Lith réplioti, to creep, OHG rebo, tendril

adjective

of, like, or characteristic of a reptile; reptilian

Etymology: L reptilis

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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