mantis

[man-tis]

noun

plural

mantises, mantes 

1. 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.

mantis

/ ˈmæntɪs /

noun

1. Also called: praying 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 Dictyoptera See also cockroach

Word History and Origins

Origin of mantis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of mantis¹

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