reptilian

[rep-til-ee-uhn, -til-yuhn]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the Reptilia.

2. groveling, debased, or despicable; contemptible.

3. mean; treacherous; harmful.

noun

1. a reptile.

reptilian

1. Relating to or characteristic of reptiles.

Word History and Origins

Origin of reptilian¹

1840–50; < New Latin Reptili ( a ) reptiles (plural of rēptile, neuter of Late Latin rēptilis; reptile ) + -an

Example Sentences

‘Happy Gilmore’ star Adam Sandler shares a playful tribute honoring his reptilian co-star, Morris the alligator, who died Sunday of old age at a gator farm in southern Colorado.

From Los Angeles Times

The “Punch-Drunk Love” actor and comedian on Wednesday shared a playful tribute honoring his reptilian co-star who died Sunday of old age at a gator farm in southern Colorado.

From Los Angeles Times

It turns the human brain into a reptilian one and activates the sympathetic nervous system, putting us into fight-or-flight mode — the same one we can get stuck in when we’re chronically lonely.

From Salon

The reptilian heaviness of their armor must feel rich on the textured stone.

From Salon

And I think we need to name it: white, Christian nationalism — and misogyny is at the reptilian brain stem of white Christian nationalism.

From Los Angeles Times