Plantain tree

Plantain tree
Plantain Plan"tain, n. [Cf. F. plantain-arbre, plantanier, Sp. pl['a]ntano, pl['a]tano; prob. same word as plane tree.] 1. (Bot.) A treelike perennial herb ({Musa paradisiaca}) of tropical regions, bearing immense leaves and large clusters of the fruits called plantains. See {Musa}. [1913 Webster]

2. The fruit of this plant. It is long and somewhat cylindrical, slightly curved, and, when ripe, soft, fleshy, and covered with a thick but tender yellowish skin. The plantain is a staple article of food in most tropical countries, especially when cooked. [1913 Webster]

{Plantain cutter}, or {Plantain eater} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several large African birds of the genus {Musophaga}, or family {Musophagid[ae]}, especially {Musophaga violacea}. See {Turaco}. They are allied to the cuckoos.

{Plantain squirrel} (Zo["o]l.), a Java squirrel ({Sciurus plantani}) which feeds upon plantains.

{Plantain tree} (Bot.), the treelike herb {Musa paradisiaca}. See def. 1 (above). [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • plantain tree — noun a banana tree bearing hanging clusters of edible angular greenish starchy fruits; tropics and subtropics • Syn: ↑plantain, ↑Musa paradisiaca • Hypernyms: ↑banana, ↑banana tree • Part Meronyms: ↑plantain …   Useful english dictionary

  • Plantain — Plan tain, n. [Cf. F. plantain arbre, plantanier, Sp. pl[ a]ntano, pl[ a]tano; prob. same word as plane tree.] 1. (Bot.) A treelike perennial herb ({Musa paradisiaca}) of tropical regions, bearing immense leaves and large clusters of the fruits… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Plantain cutter — Plantain Plan tain, n. [Cf. F. plantain arbre, plantanier, Sp. pl[ a]ntano, pl[ a]tano; prob. same word as plane tree.] 1. (Bot.) A treelike perennial herb ({Musa paradisiaca}) of tropical regions, bearing immense leaves and large clusters of the …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Plantain eater — Plantain Plan tain, n. [Cf. F. plantain arbre, plantanier, Sp. pl[ a]ntano, pl[ a]tano; prob. same word as plane tree.] 1. (Bot.) A treelike perennial herb ({Musa paradisiaca}) of tropical regions, bearing immense leaves and large clusters of the …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Plantain squirrel — Plantain Plan tain, n. [Cf. F. plantain arbre, plantanier, Sp. pl[ a]ntano, pl[ a]tano; prob. same word as plane tree.] 1. (Bot.) A treelike perennial herb ({Musa paradisiaca}) of tropical regions, bearing immense leaves and large clusters of the …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • plantain — plantain1 [plan′tin] n. [OFr < L plantago < planta, sole of the foot (see PLANT): from the shape of the leaves] any of a genus (Plantago) of plants of the plantain family, usually with rosettes of basal leaves and spikes of tiny, greenish… …   English World dictionary

  • plantain — Ⅰ. plantain [1] ► NOUN ▪ a low growing plant, typically with a rosette of leaves and a slender green flower spike. ORIGIN Old French, from Latin planta sole of the foot (because of its broad leaves that grow along the ground). Ⅱ. plantain [2] ►… …   English terms dictionary

  • Plantain — This article is about the fruit. For the small herb, see Plantago. Plantain Plantains being sold. Details Hybrid parentage …   Wikipedia

  • plantain — plantain1 /plan tin, tn/, n. 1. a tropical plant, Musa paradisiaca, of the banana family, resembling the banana. 2. its fruit, eaten cooked as a staple food in tropical regions. [1545 55; earlier pla(n)tan < Sp plá(n)tano plantain, also plane… …   Universalium

  • plantain — {{11}}plantain (n.1) banana, 1550s, from Sp. plátano, plántano, probably from Carib platana banana (Arawak pratane), and altered by association with Sp. plátano plane tree, from M.L. plantanus plane tree, itself altered (by association with L.… …   Etymology dictionary

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