mantis

nounattested in dialogue

//ˈmæntɪs//

Any of various large insects of the order Mantodea that catch insects or other small animals with their powerful forelegs.

noun

1
Any of various large insects of the order Mantodea that catch insects or other small animals with their powerful forelegs.
The scientists then allowed the males from one group of mantises to mate with females from the other.
Don’t get me wrong: I love mantises so much it is pathetic. They have that quality, like some views of a beautiful city, where it feels that you are seeing them for the first time, every time. Each mantis looks so perfect, so whole and individual.
2
A green colour, like that of many mantises.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *men- Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *méntis Proto-Hellenic *mə́tis Ancient Greek μάντις (mántis)bor. Latin mantisbor. English mantis From New Latin mantis, from Ancient Greek μάντις (mántis, “soothsayer”). Distant doublet of mind via Proto-Indo-European *méntis.

Forms

plural: mantises, mantes

mansion · A large luxurious house or building, usually built for the…manslaughter · The unlawful killing of a human, either in negligence or…Manson · A surname transferred from the given name.

mantis · Any of various large insects of the order Mantodea that catch insects or other small animals with their powerful forelegs.

mantle · A piece of clothing somewhat like an open robe or cloak,…Mantle · A surname.mantra · The hymn portions of the Vedas; any passage of these used as…

The neighbouring pages — Alphabetical order follows the rules of the language, not byte values: an accent decides only between two otherwise identical words, and Spanish files Ñ as a letter of its own.