plantain

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: plan=tain

CIDE DICTIONARY

plantain, n. [Cf. F. plantain-arbre, plantanier, Sp. plántano, plátano; prob. same word as plane tree.].

•  A treelike perennial herb (Musa paradisiaca) of tropical regions, bearing immense leaves and large clusters of the fruits called plantains. See Musa.  [1913 Webster]
•  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 (Zoöl.), any one of several large African birds of the genus Musophaga, or family Musophagidæ, especially Musophaga violacea. See Turaco. They are allied to the cuckoos. -- Plantain squirrel (Zoöl.), a Java squirrel (Sciurus plantani) which feeds upon plantains. -- Plantain tree (Bot.), the treelike herb Musa paradisiaca. See def. 1 (above).

plantain, n. [F., fr. L. plantago. Cf. Plant.].

 Any plant of the genus Plantago, but especially the Plantago major, a low herb with broad spreading radical leaves, and slender spikes of minute flowers. It is a native of Europe, but now found near the abode of civilized man in nearly all parts of the world.  [1913 Webster]

Indian plantain. (Bot.) See under Indian. -- Mud plantain, a homely North American aquatic plant (Heteranthera reniformis), having broad, reniform leaves. -- Rattlesnake plantain, an orchidaceous plant (Goodyera pubescens), with the leaves blotched and spotted with white. -- Ribwort plantain. See Ribwort. -- Robin's plantain, the Erigeron bellidifolium, a common daisylike plant of North America. -- Water plantain, a plant of the genus Alisma, having acrid leaves, and formerly regarded as a specific against hydrophobia. Loudon.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

plantain, n. any shrub of the genus Plantago, with broad flat leaves spread out close to the ground and seeds used as food for birds and as a mild laxative.

Idiom

plantain lily = HOSTA.

plantain, n.
1 a banana plant, Musa paradisiaca, widely grown for its fruit.
2 the starchy fruit of this containing less sugar than a dessert banana and chiefly used in cooking.

Etymology

earlier platan f. Sp. pl{aacute}(n)tano plane-tree, prob. assim. f. Galibi palatana etc.