mantis
[man-tis]
- 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.
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Also mantid.
Origin of mantis
Also called praying mantis.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for mantis
Contemporary Examples
An ex-wife of one of her conquests had even described her as a “praying mantis with a terminator smile”.
A few days later, Hafernik found more bees, and again fed them to the mantis.
Historical Examples
I have seen the Mantis religiosa on a larger scale than this, now and then.
The Poet at the Breakfast TableOliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
Only if a thing fled did the mantis pursue with deadly ferocity.
Nightmare PlanetMurray Leinster
But now obedience was forgotten because there was this young praying mantis.
Nightmare PlanetMurray Leinster
Mantis's evil temper broke out: "She has done this, the malign one!"
Sophy of KravoniaAnthony Hope
Dr. Bleek identifies his name with that of the mantis insect.
Myth, Ritual And Religion, Vol. 2 (of 2)Andrew Lang
mantis
- 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
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for mantis
n.
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).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper