reptilian

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

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

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.

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

• reptilian brain

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.

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

• Tiplerian, patriline