reptile
reptile Lexical Profile
reptile Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A cold-blooded vertebrate animal of a class that includes snakes, lizards, crocodiles, turtles, and tortoises, typically distinguished by having dry scaly skin and laying soft-shelled eggs on land.
"The museum's new exhibit features an extensive collection of native reptiles, including several rare species of desert tortoises."
A person perceived as highly despicable, groveling, or untrustworthy.
"He proved himself to be a calculating reptile when he betrayed his closest colleagues for a promotion."
Word Nuance & Usage
While primarily a neutral scientific term for a class of animals, 'reptile' is occasionally used as a figurative insult to describe a highly untrustworthy, cold, or deceitful person.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Late Latin 'reptile' (creeping animal), a noun use of the neuter of 'reptilis' (creeping), derived from the Latin verb 'repere' (to crawl, creep).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.