praying mantis
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Etymology
Mantis from Greek μάντις (mántis). Named "praying mantis" for their stance, with the forelegs held together in a way that resembles a person praying. Similar designations exist in many European as well as non-European languages. Compare for example French mante religieuse (literally “religious mantis”), German Gottesanbeterin (literally “God-worshipper”), Portuguese louva-a-deus (literally “God-praiser”), Persian آخوندک (âxundak, literally “little cleric”).
Noun
praying mantis (plural praying mantises or praying mantes)
- Any of various predatory, cannibalistic insects of the order Mantodea that have a prayer-like stance.
- (regional, in Europe) A mantid of the species Mantis religiosa.
- A woman who preys on men (from the idea that female praying mantises eat males after sex).
Synonyms
Translations
any of various predatory insects of the Mantidae family
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any of various predatory insects of the Mantodea order
Mantis religiosa
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