plantain
1 of 2noun (1)
plan·tain ˈplan-tᵊn 
: any of a genus (Plantago of the family Plantaginaceae, the plantain family) of herbs with basal rosettes of usually lanceolate or elliptical leaves and spikes of minute greenish flowers
plantain
2 of 2noun (2)
plan·tain plan-ˈtān
ˈplan-ˌtān,
ˈplan-tᵊn
1
: the angular greenish starchy fruit of the plantain that is a staple food in the tropics when cooked
2
: a banana plant (Musa paradisiaca)
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin plantagin-, plantago, from planta sole of the foot; from its broad leaves — more at place
Noun (2)
Spanish plántano, plátano plane tree, banana tree, from Medieval Latin plantanus plane tree, alteration of Latin platanus — more at plane entry 4
First Known Use
Noun (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing plantain
Kids Definition
plantain
noun
plan·tain ˈplan-tᵊn
: the greenish fruit of a kind of banana plant that is eaten cooked and is larger, less sweet, and more starchy than the ordinary banana
Medical Definition
plantain
noun
plan·tain ˈplant-ᵊn
: any plant of the genus Plantago
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