Plantain

Plantain
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 — Plan tain, n. [F., fr. L. plantago. Cf. {Plant}.] (Bot.) 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • plantain — PLANTAIN. s. m. Sorte de plante medicinale, dont les feüilles sont à peu prés de la figure d un fer de lance, & dont la tige est toute pleine de petite graine vers le haut. Il y a plusieurs sortes de plantain. grand plantain. petit plantain.… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • plantain — Plantain, Plantago plantaginis, Arnaglossum, Polyneuron. Plantain aquatic, Alisma, Damasonium, Plantago aquatica …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

  • 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 — 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 — Plantain, Inseln, so v.w. Bravos 1) …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

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

  • plantain — 1. plantain [ plɑ̃tɛ̃ ] n. m. • XIIIe; lat. plantago ♦ Plante herbacée (plantaginacées) très commune, dont la semence sert à nourrir les oiseaux en cage. Grand plantain. Plantain d eau. ⇒ alisma. plantain 2. plantain [ plɑ̃tɛ̃ ] n. m. • 1803;… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Plantain — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Plantain (homonymie). Nom vernaculaire ou nom normalisé ambigu : Le terme « Plantain » s applique en français à plusieurs taxons distincts …   Wikipédia en Français

  • 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

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