from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Banana \Ba*na"na\ (b[.a]*n[aum]"n[.a]; 277), n. [Sp. banana,
name of the fruit.] (Bot.)
A perennial herbaceous plant of almost treelike size ({Musa
sapientum}); also, its edible fruit. See {Musa}.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The banana has a soft, herbaceous stalk, with leaves of
great length and breadth. The flowers grow in bunches,
covered with a sheath of a green or purple color; the
fruit is five or six inches long, and over an inch in
diameter; the pulp is soft, and of a luscious taste,
and is eaten either raw or cooked. This plant is a
native of tropical countries, and furnishes an
important article of food.
[1913 Webster]
{Banana bird} (Zool.), a small American bird ({Icterus
leucopteryx}), which feeds on the banana.
{Banana quit} (Zool.), a small bird of tropical America, of
the genus {Certhiola}, allied to the creepers.
[1913 Webster]