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

/ rĕp-tĭl′ē-ən /

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

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

Cancer Christ mixes Christian, satanic and other “reptilian” imagery in an intentionally and outlandishly sacrilegious mix, with members at times wearing snake masks atop religious garments.

From Los Angeles Times

But when it comes to campaigns and elections, the former House speaker has never had much use for sentimentality, priding herself on a reptilian cold-bloodedness.

From Los Angeles Times

From inside her mouth emerged a black, reptilian head.

From Literature

When thinking about the inner life of T. rex, the most important takeaway is that reptilian intelligence is in fact more sophisticated than our species often assumes, scientists said.

From Los Angeles Times