reptilian

English

Etymology

From reptile +‎ -ian, replacing earlier reptilious and adjectival reptile.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ɹepˈtɪliən/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ɹɛpˈtɪljən/, /ɹɛpˈtɪliən/

Adjective

reptilian (comparative more reptilian, superlative most reptilian)

1. (zoology) Of or relating to the members of the class Reptilia.
2. Reptilelike.
3. (figuratively) Unthinking, low, base, contemptible.
4. (figuratively) Cold-blooded, treacherous, unavoidably selfish and hostile.

Synonyms

• (or or relating to members of Reptilia): reptilious; reptitious (obsolete)
• (like a reptile): See reptilelike
• (contemptible): See Thesaurus:despicable
• (cold-blooded): See cold-blooded

Derived terms

• reptilian brain

Translations

reptilelike — see reptilelike

Noun

reptilian (plural reptilians)

1. A reptilian animal: a reptile.
2. (figuratively) A reptilian person, especially (ethnic slur) a Jew.
3. (science fiction) A reptilian alien, especially (ufology, often capitalized) of a shapeshifting race purported to secretly control the world.
   • 2001, Caroline Tiger, The UFO Hunter’s Handbook: A Field Guide to the Paranormal, →ISBN, page 62-63:

     More evolved than the Grays or Reptilians, the Humanoids seem to feel some sort of kinship with humans and are likely to be kind.[…] Some researchers believe the Grays are merely preparing the way for a full-scale invasion of Reptilian aliens.

   • 2010, Chico Penteado, Talking to the Reptilians-A Report from Brazil, →ISBN, page 11:

     Such powerful human families would descend upon the reptilians themselves and they would be willing to do just anything to retain their power.

   • 2011, Collin Robert Bowling, A New Order of the Ages, →ISBN:

     The reptilians are the creation of the Carians.

   • 2015, Marty Crump, Eye of Newt and Toe of Frog, Adder's Fork and Lizard's Leg, →ISBN:

     Reptilians generally are envisioned as half snake, half human, and they are thought to have come from the Alpha Draconian star system.

References

• “reptilian, adj. and n.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.

Anagrams

• Tiplerian, patriline