mantis

Any of various large insects of the order Mantodea that catch insects or other small animals with their powerful forelegs.

Noun

  1. Any of various large insects of the order Mantodea that catch insects or other small animals with their powerful forelegs.

    Synonyms: rear-horse

  2. A green colour, like that of many mantises.

Origin

From New Latin mantis, from Ancient Greek μάντις (mántis, “soothsayer”). Distant doublet of mind via Proto-Indo-European *méntis.

Forms

mantises mantes mantid

Derived

Chinese mantis flower mantis mantis crab mantisfly mantislike mantis shrimp praying mantis sea mantis Skinner's ground mantis