Lexic.us

Definition of Praying mantis

1. Noun. The common mantis.

Definition of Praying mantis

1. Noun. Any of various predatory, cannibalistic insects of the family ''Mantidae'' that have a prayer-like stance. ¹

2. Noun. (regional in Europe) A mantid of the species Mantis religiosa. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Praying Mantis

Literary usage of Praying mantis

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Popular Science MonthlyScienc (1893)
"Queer pet [praying mantis] (5 p., 2 il.). EW Bellamy, 37 : 528. Rocky Mountain locust in Manitoba (Misc.), 11:508. Rotten logs as breeders of borers (Misc. ..."

2. Argentine Plains and Andine Glaciers: Life on an Estancia, and an Expedition by Walter Larden (1911)
"The praying mantis. There are various mantises out here, of water and of land, ... is the praying mantis. The female (as I took it to be) had only ..."

3. Glimpses of the Animate World, Or, Science and Literature of Natural History (1885)
"THE praying mantis. 1. SPECIES of insects known as mantids belong to the order Orthoptera, which includes crickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches, locusts, etc. ..."

4. Inmates of My House and Garden by Eliza (Elder) Brightwen (1895)
"THE praying mantis. "O crooked soul, and serpentine in arts." DRYDEN. ... praying mantis."

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