| man·ta (m²n“t…) n. 1. Any of several rays of the family Mobulidae, inhabiting tropical and subtropical seas and having a large flattened body, winglike pectoral fins, a whiplike tail, and two hornlike fins that project forward from the head. In this sense, also called devilfish, manta ray, sea devil. [Spanish, blanket, manta (from its blanketlike shape) alteration of manto, cloak, perhaps from Latin mantellum, mant¶lum.] | |