mantis
n. countablen. a large green or brown insect with long front legs that it holds together as if it is praying. It is famous for eating other insects and sometimes even its own kind.
n. a predatory insect of the order Mantodea, characterized by a long thorax and raptorial forelegs held in a posture suggestive of prayer.
A green mantis sat perfectly still on the garden fence.
The mantis uses its powerful front legs to snatch flies out of the air with incredible speed.
Camouflaged against the vibrant foliage, the mantis remained motionless for hours, waiting for an unsuspecting grasshopper to wander within striking distance of its serrated forelimbs.
From New Latin mantis, from Ancient Greek μάντις (mántis, “soothsayer”). Distant doublet of mind via Proto-Indo-European *méntis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Often referred to as a 'praying mantis' in common usage.
Last updated May 8, 2026