What does "mantis" mean?

Any of various large insects of the order Mantodea that catch insects or other small animals with their powerful forelegs.

What is a synonym for "mantis"?

Common synonyms include: mantid, insect, praying mantis.

/ˈmæntɪs/ noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Noun

1
Any of various large insects of the order Mantodea that catch insects or other small animals with their powerful forelegs. countable, uncountable
2
predacious long-bodied large-eyed insect of warm regions; rests with forelimbs raised as in prayer wordnet
3
A green colour, like that of many mantises. uncountable

"I respect the praying mantis as a living creature!"

From New Latin mantis, from Ancient Greek μάντις (mántis, “soothsayer”). Distant doublet of mind via Proto-Indo-European *méntis.