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]