reptile
/ˈreptaɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈreptaɪl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈrep-ˌtī(-ə)l -tᵊl/ (ame, mw)
reptile — noun
- reptilesingular
- reptilesplural
1. a scaled animal like a turtle, snake, or lizard that usually lays eggs and whose
a scaled animal like a turtle, snake, or lizard that usually lays eggs and whose body warms up or cools down according to the temperature around it
Christopher spotted a striped reptile lying still on a rock in the sun.
reptile on a rock in the sun — warming behaviour
The science chart showed which reptiles lay eggs and shed old skin.
reptiles lay eggs and shed skin — class features
Padma keeps one rescued reptile in a glass tank with a heat lamp.
The museum label grouped turtles, snakes, and lizards under reptiles.
文法句型
a reptile / the reptile / reptiles
用法筆記
Usually a countable word for the animal group that includes snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles; in school science it is often contrasted with amphibian and mammal.
常見錯誤
reptile — adjective
- reptilepositive
- reptilercomparative
- reptilestsuperlative
1. relating to reptiles, or showing the look, skin, or movement that people connect
relating to reptiles, or showing the look, skin, or movement that people connect with them
The guide pointed to reptile eggs buried in the warm sand.
reptile eggs — belonging to reptiles
During class, Doctor Chen said the reptile brain controls breathing and heartbeat.
reptile brain — fixed descriptive phrase
The costume designer added reptile scales to the monster's long tail.
After lunch, Tamar sketched reptile eyes for the science club poster.
- reptilian
More usual in formal or descriptive English.
- snake-like
Narrower and often focused on shape or movement.
文法句型
reptile eggs / reptile brain / reptile scales
用法筆記
Often used before nouns such as brain, skin, eyes, or eggs; it can mean either truly belonging to reptiles or simply looking reptile-like in shape or feeling.