mantis

noun

man·​tis ˈman-təs 

plural mantises also mantes ˈman-ˌtēz 

: any of an order or suborder (Mantodea and especially family Mantidae) of large usually green insects that feed on other insects and clasp their prey in forelimbs held up as if in prayer

Illustration of mantis

Examples of mantis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cannibalistic female mantises produce more eggs than mantises who don’t eat their mates, a 2016 research paper concluded. —Ben Guarino, Popular Science, 13 June 2024

And there was a vigorous cat chase at Yankee Stadium in 2021 on the same day that a mantis sat on a player’s head for two innings. —Victor Mather, New York Times, 16 May 2024

Praying mantis eggs, laid in insulating foam cases last fall before the mother mantis died, are also about to hatch. —Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2024

The episode featuring the mighty mantis and spider above was shot in a Texas backyard and included a jet-setting monarch butterfly working on their migrating north. —Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, literally, diviner, prophet; akin to Greek mainesthai to be mad — more at mania

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing mantis

• mantis shrimp
• praying mantis

Kids Definition

mantis

noun

man·​tis ˈmant-əs 

plural mantises also mantes ˈman-ˌtēz 

: any of various large usually green insects related to the grasshoppers and cockroaches that feed upon other insects and hold their prey in the stout spiny first pair of legs