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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Reptile \Rep"tile\ (r?p"t?l;277), a. [F. reptile, L. reptilis,
fr. repere, reptum, to creep; cf. Lith. reploti; perh. akin
to L. serpere. Cf. {Serpent}.]
1. Creeping; moving on the belly, or by means of small and
short legs.
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2. Hence: Groveling; low; vulgar; as, a reptile race or crew;
reptile vices.
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There is also a false, reptile prudence, the result
not of caution, but of fear. --Burke.
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And dislodge their reptile souls
From the bodies and forms of men. --Coleridge.
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Reptile \Rep"tile\, n.
1. (Zool.) An animal that crawls, or moves on its belly, as
snakes,, or by means of small, short legs, as lizards, and
the like.
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An inadvertent step may crush the snail
That crawls at evening in the public path;
But he that has humanity, forewarned,
Will tread aside, and let the reptile live.
--Cowper.
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2. (Zool.) One of the Reptilia, or one of the Amphibia.
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Note: The amphibians were formerly classed with Reptilia, and
are still popularly called reptiles, though much more
closely allied to the fishes.
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3. A groveling or very mean person.
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