\Man"tis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a prophet.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of voracious orthopterous insects
of the genus {Mantis}, and allied genera. They are remarkable
for their slender grotesque forms, and for holding their
stout anterior legs in a manner suggesting hands folded in
prayer. The common American species is {M. Carolina}.
{Mantis shrimp}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Sguilla}.