mantis
[ man-tis ]
/ ˈmæn tɪs /
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.
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Also mantid.
Also called praying mantis.
Origin of mantis
1650–60; <New Latin <Greek mántis prophet, kind of insect; akin to mania
Words nearby mantis
mantic, manticore, mantid, mantilla, Mantinea, mantis, mantispid, mantissa, mantis shrimp, mantle, mantlepiece
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for mantis
British Dictionary definitions for mantis
mantis
/ (ˈmæntɪs) /
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
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