banyan

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

banyan
    n 1: East Indian tree that puts out aerial shoots that grow down
         into the soil forming additional trunks [syn: {banyan},
         {banyan tree}, {banian}, {banian tree}, {Indian banyan},
         {East Indian fig tree}, {Ficus bengalensis}]
    2: a loose fitting jacket; originally worn in India [syn:
       {banyan}, {banian}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Banyan \Ban"yan\ (b[a^]n"yan or b[a^]n*y[a^]n"), n. [See
   {Banian}.] (Bot.)
   A tree of the same genus as the common fig, and called the
   Indian fig ({Ficus Indica}), whose branches send shoots to
   the ground, which take root and become additional trunks,
   until it may be the tree covers some acres of ground and is
   able to shelter thousands of men.
   [1913 Webster]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Banian \Ban"ian\ (b[a^]n"yan or b[a^]n*y[a^]n"; 277), n. [Skr.
   banij merchant. The tree was so named by the English, because
   used as a market place by the merchants.]
   1. A Hindu trader, merchant, cashier, or money changer.
      [Written also {banyan}.]
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A man's loose gown, like that worn by the Banians.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Bot.) The Indian fig. See {Banyan}.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Banian days} (Naut.), days in which the sailors have no
      flesh meat served out to them. This use seems to be
      borrowed from the Banians or Banya race, who eat no flesh.
      [1913 Webster]

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

Banyan

   <company> A {personal computer} networking company, best known
   for its "{Vines}" products for {local area networks}.

   Address: Westborough MA, USA.

   [More info?]

   (1995-03-01)