Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
mantis [man-tis] ExamplesWord Origin 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. 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.
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.
Murray Leinster
But now obedience was forgotten because there was this young praying mantis.
Murray Leinster
Mantis’s evil temper broke out: “She has done this, the malign one!”
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 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).