mantis
/ˈmæntɪs/
noun
- A slender, green or brown insect that holds its front legs together as if praying, and eats other insects.
- We saw a green mantis climbing up the fence in the garden.
- A mantis sat perfectly still on the flower, waiting for a fly to come close.
- The mantis turned its head to look directly at me, which was a little creepy.