plantain tree

plantain tree
    n 1: a banana tree bearing hanging clusters of edible angular
         greenish starchy fruits; tropics and subtropics [syn:
         {plantain}, {plantain tree}, {Musa paradisiaca}]
    

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]