What is "mantis crab"

mantis crab \mantis crab\ n. Same as Squilla.

Syn: Mantis shrimp.

Mantis \Man"tis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a prophet.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of voracious orthopterous insects of the genus Mantis, and allied genera. They are predacious long-bodied large-eyed insects of warm regions, 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 Mantis Carolina.

Mantis shrimp. (Zo["o]l.) The Squilla, a tropical marine burrowing crustacean with large grasping appendages. Also called mantis crab and mantis prawn.

n. squilla (shrimp)

n. tropical marine burrowing crustaceans with large grasping appendages [syn: mantis shrimp]