Any of various predatory, cannibalistic insects of the order Mantodea that have a prayer-like stance.
A woman who preys on men (from the idea that female praying mantises eat males after sex).
A mantid of the species Mantis religiosa.
A white-bodied, wood-consuming insect of the infraorder Isoptera, in the order Blattodea.
A contemptible person.
Of a chimpanzee: to catch termites by inserting a stick or vine into their nest and waiting for them to climb up it.