mantis

[man-tis]

noun, plural man·tis·es, man·tes [man-teez] /ˈmæn tiz/.

any of several predaceous insects of the order Mantidae, having a long prothorax and typically holding the forelegs in an upraised position as if in prayer.

Also mantid.

Origin of mantis

1650–60; < New Latin < Greek mántis prophet, kind of insect; akin to mania

Also called praying mantis.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for mantis

Contemporary Examples of mantis

An ex-wife of one of her conquests had even described her as a “praying mantis with a terminator smile”.
France: Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Advises Valerie Trierweiler to Marry
The Telegraph
October 26, 2012
A few days later, Hafernik found more bees, and again fed them to the mantis.
When ‘Zombees’ Attack
Winston Ross
October 11, 2012

Historical Examples of mantis

I have seen the Mantis religiosa on a larger scale than this, now and then.
The Poet at the Breakfast Table
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
Only if a thing fled did the mantis pursue with deadly ferocity.
Nightmare Planet
Murray Leinster
But now obedience was forgotten because there was this young praying mantis.
Nightmare Planet
Murray Leinster
Mantis's evil temper broke out: "She has done this, the malign one!"
Sophy of Kravonia
Anthony Hope
Dr. Bleek identifies his name with that of the mantis insect.
Myth, Ritual And Religion, Vol. 2 (of 2)
Andrew Lang

British Dictionary definitions for mantis

mantis

noun plural -tises or -tes (-tiːz)

any carnivorous typically green insect of the family Mantidae, of warm and tropical regions, having a long body and large eyes and resting with the first pair of legs raised as if in prayer: order DictyopteraAlso called: praying mantis See also cockroach

Word Origin for mantis

C17: New Latin, from Greek: prophet, alluding to its praying posture

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for mantis

1650s, "type of insect that holds its forelegs in a praying position" (especially the praying mantis, Mantis religiosa), Modern Latin, from Greek mantis, literally "one who divines, a seer, prophet," from mainesthai "be inspired," related to menos "passion, spirit" (see mania). The insect so called for its way of holding the forelimbs as if in prayer. Also used in Greek for some sort of grasshopper (Theocritus).