predacious long-bodied large-eyed insect of warm regions; rests with forelimbs raised as in prayer
source: WordNet 3.0
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.
