[W/K] :: 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 (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]

  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]

  plantain
       n 1: any of numerous plants of the genus Plantago; mostly small
            roadside or dooryard weeds with elliptic leaves and
            small spikes of very small flowers; seeds of some used
            medicinally
       2: a banana tree bearing hanging clusters of edible angular
          greenish starchy fruits; tropics and subtropics [syn: plantain
          tree, Musa paradisiaca]
       3: starchy banana-like fruit; eaten (always cooked) as a staple
          vegetable throughout the tropics