praying mantis

Meanings

1. Any of various predatory, cannibalistic insects of the order Mantodea that have a prayer-like stance.
2. A mantid of the species Mantis religiosa.
3. A woman who preys on men (from the idea that female praying mantises eat males after sex).

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”).