/man"tis/ , n. , pl. mantises, mantes /-teez/ .
any of several predaceous insects of the order Mantidae, having a long prothorax and typically holding the forelegs in an upraised position as if in prayer.
Also, mantid . Also called praying mantis .
[ 1650-60; mántis prophet, kind of insect; akin to MANIA ]