mantis

Where does the word "mantis" come from? It comes from Greek mantis, and was adopted directly into English (1650s).

Mantis’s story begins in Greek: mantis meant “seer, prophet.” A seer or prophet, from the root of 'mania': a seer's frenzy. It reached English by 1650s as mantis. Named for the raised forelegs, which look like a seer or worshipper at prayer. Today, mantis means a slender predatory insect that holds its forelegs as if praying.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient mantis "seer, prophet", a seer or prophet, from the root of 'mania': a seer's frenzy.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1650s mantis "praying insect", named for the raised forelegs, which look like a seer or worshipper at prayer.