Lexic.us

Definition of Plantain

1. Noun. 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. Noun. A banana tree bearing hanging clusters of edible angular greenish starchy fruits; tropics and subtropics.

3. Noun. Starchy banana-like fruit; eaten (always cooked) as a staple vegetable throughout the tropics.

Definition of Plantain

1. n. A treelike perennial herb (Musa paradisiaca) of tropical regions, bearing immense leaves and large clusters of the fruits called plantains. See Musa.

2. n. Any plant of the genus Plantago, but especially the P. 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.

Definition of Plantain

1. Noun. A plant of the genus ''Plantago'', with a rosette of sessile leaves about 10 cm long with a narrow part instead of a petiole, and with a spike inflorescence with the flower spacing varying widely among the species. See also psyllium. ¹

2. Noun. A plant in the genus Musa, the genus that includes banana, but with lower sugar content than banana. ¹

3. Noun. The fruit of the plant, usually cooked before eating and used like potatoes. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Plantain

1. a short-stemmed herb [n -S]

Medical Definition of Plantain

1. 1. A treelike perennial herb (Musa paradisiaca) of tropical regions, bearing immense leaves and large clusters of the fruits called plantains. See Musa. 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. Plantain cutter, or Plantain eater, a Java squirrel (Sciurus plantani) which feeds upon plantains. Plantain tree, the treelike herb Musa paradisiaca. See def. 1 (above). Origin: Cf. F. Plantain-arbre, plantanier, Sp. Plantano, platano; prob. Same word as plane tree. Any plant of the genus Plantago, but especially the P. 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. Indian plantain. See 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. Origin: F, fr. L. Plantago. Cf. Plant. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Plantain

plant tissue plant toxin plant transpiration plant tumours plant virus plant viruses planta planta pedis plantable plantacyanin

plantage plantages plantago plantago ovata coating plantago seed plantain (current term) plantain family plantain lily plantain seed plantain tree

plantains plantal plantalgia plantar plantar aponeurosis plantar arch plantar arterial arch plantar calcaneocuboid ligament plantar calcaneonavicular ligament

Literary usage of Plantain

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Gardeners Dictionaryby Philip Miller by Philip Miller (1754)
"С. Б. Garden Buck's-horn plantain or Harts-horn, •vulgo. ... Narrow-leav'd Bucks- horn plantain of Naples. 4. ... PL Rofe-like Sea Bucks- horn plantain. ..."

2. A Dictionary of Science, Literature, & Art: Comprising the Definitions and by George William Cox (1866)
"When plantain stems are cut down or decay after the formation of the fruit, ... The fruits of the plantain are stated by chemists to be most nearly allied ..."

3. Southern Wild Flowers and Trees: Together with Shrubs, Vines and Various by Alice Lounsberry (1901)
"Its leaves closely resemble those of the common door- yard plantain, which fact, in connection with its loose spray of tiny flushed flowers, ..."

4. A Description and History of Vegetable Substances, Used in the Arts, and in (1830)
"The plantain—(.Musa paradisiaca). THE BANANA—(Musa sapientum). ... The banana is not so luscious as the plantain, but it is more agreeable. ..."

5. The Gardeners Dictionaryby Philip Miller by Philip Miller (1754)
"С. Б. Garden Buck's-horn plantain or Harts-horn, •vulgo. ... Narrow-leav'd Bucks- horn plantain of Naples. 4. ... PL Rofe-like Sea Bucks- horn plantain. ..."

6. A Dictionary of Science, Literature, & Art: Comprising the Definitions and by George William Cox (1866)
"When plantain stems are cut down or decay after the formation of the fruit, ... The fruits of the plantain are stated by chemists to be most nearly allied ..."

7. Southern Wild Flowers and Trees: Together with Shrubs, Vines and Various by Alice Lounsberry (1901)
"Its leaves closely resemble those of the common door- yard plantain, which fact, in connection with its loose spray of tiny flushed flowers, ..."

8. A Description and History of Vegetable Substances, Used in the Arts, and in (1830)
"The plantain—(.Musa paradisiaca). THE BANANA—(Musa sapientum). ... The banana is not so luscious as the plantain, but it is more agreeable. ..."

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