praying mantis
Any of various predatory, cannibalistic insects of the order Mantodea that have a…Any of various predatory, cannibalistic insects of the order Mantodea that have a prayer-like stance.
Meaning
3 sensesAny of various predatory, cannibalistic insects of the order Mantodea that have a prayer-like stance.
Gottesanbeterin, Fangschrecke
богомо́лbogomól
богомо́лbohomól
(regional)European mantis: a mantid of the species Mantis religiosa.
Europäische Gottesanbeterin
обыкнове́нный богомо́лobyknovénnyj bogomól
the common mantis
(broadly)A woman who preys on men (from the idea that female praying mantises eat males after sex).
Translations
9 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 2
By meaning 2
Origin
Mantis from Ancient Greek μάντις (mántis). Named "praying mantis" for their stance, with tMantis from Ancient 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”).
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
plural: praying mantises / praying mantes| Singular | praying mantis |
|---|---|
| Plural | praying mantises / praying mantes |
regular
Synonyms
2 synonyms- the common mantis:praying mantidMantis religioso