plantain



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


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 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.
      [1913 Webster]
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


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 (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), a Java squirrel ({Sciurus
      plantani}) which feeds upon plantains.

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














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