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Definition of mantis

mantis

/ˈmæn.tɪs/
man · tis
Plural:mantises
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mantis Lexical Profile

mantis Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A slender, predatory insect of the order Mantodea, characterized by an elongated body, a triangular head capable of turning 180 degrees, and prominent forelegs adapted for grasping and holding prey.

Example

"The gardener was pleased to find a green mantis on the tomato plants, knowing it would naturally help control the pest population."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for mantis

Word Nuance & Usage

Frequently referred to as a 'praying mantis' due to its characteristic posture, which is commonly misspelled as 'preying' mantis because of its highly predatory nature.

• Rhymes for mantis

• Nearby Words

mantelpiece
mantelshelf
mantilla
mantis
mantle
mantra
manu

Word Origin & Etymology

From Modern Latin 'mantis', derived from Greek 'mantis' meaning 'prophet' or 'seer', so named for its prominent forelegs resting in a posture resembling a person in prayer.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mantis. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mantis
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