reptile
1. rep.tile \'rep-t*l, -.ti-l\ n [ME reptil, fr. MF or LL; MF reptile (fem.), fr. LL reptile (]neut.), fr. neut. of reptilis reptant, fr. L reptus, pp. of repere to creep; akin to OHG reba tendril 1: an animal that crawls or moves (as a snake) on its belly or (as a lizard ) on small short legs 2a: any of a class (Reptilia) of air-breating vertebrates including the all igators and crocodiles, lizards, snakes, turtles, and extinct related forms with a completely ossified skeleton including 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 2b: AMPHIBIAN 3: a groveling or despicable person 2. reptile aj : characteristic of a reptile : REPTILIAN
 Webster's English Dictionary