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praying mantis
noun
: mantis
especially
: a European mantis (Mantis religiosa) that has been introduced into the U.S.
called also praying mantid
Examples of praying mantis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Props to whoever pitched the idea of performing in oversize bug costumes to Weezer, and props to the band for enthusiastically agreeing, because when that camera zooms in on drummer Patrick Wilson hitting a snare while dressed as a praying mantis?
—Marah Eakin, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2024
Jenny Read used to study praying mantis vision at Newcastle University—one time fitting tiny 3D glasses to the insects to figure out how their vision differed from our own—and whether understanding insect vision could lead us toward more efficient ways of building robotic vision.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 2 Oct. 2024
The bees, the beetles, even the cute praying mantis that when hatching looks like the coming of the zombie apocalypse and that bites off the heads of their mates ...
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 20 Sep. 2024
And without missing a beat, didn’t Marlo reach down and pick up this praying mantis and carry it with her across to the other side of the street and put it on the lawn?
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
circa 1890, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of praying mantis was
circa 1890
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Cite this Entry
“Praying mantis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/praying%20mantis. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
praying mantis
noun
: mantis
especially
: a European mantis that is now found in the U.S.
More from Merriam-Webster on praying mantis
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about praying mantis
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