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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence: Groveling; low; vulgar; as, a reptile race or crew; reptile vices. [ 1913 Webster ]

There is also a false, reptile prudence, the result not of caution, but of fear. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

And dislodge their reptile souls
From the bodies and forms of men. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) One of the Reptilia, or one of the Amphibia. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The amphibians were formerly classed with Reptilia, and are still popularly called reptiles, though much more closely allied to the fishes. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A groveling or very mean person. [ 1913 Webster ]