praying mantis

== English == === Etymology === Mantis from 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”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈpɹeɪ.ɪŋ ˈmæntɪs/ === Noun === praying mantis (plural praying mantises or praying mantes) Any of various predatory, cannibalistic insects of the order Mantodea that have a prayer-like stance. (regional, in Europe) A mantid of the species Mantis religiosa. A woman who preys on men (from the idea that female praying mantises eat males after sex). ==== Synonyms ==== (general term): mantid, mantis ==== Translations ====