n.
Pronunciation: ' man-t ə s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural man · tis · es also man · tes \ ' man- ˌ t ē z \
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek, literally, diviner, prophet; akin to Greek mainesthai to be mad ― more at MANIA
Date: 1646
: 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
mantis