plantain Hear it!

plantain1 definition

plan·tain (plan′tin)

noun

any of a genus (Plantago) of plants of the plantain family, usually with rosettes of basal leaves and spikes of tiny, greenish flowers, including many troublesome weeds

Etymology: OFr < L plantago < planta, sole of the foot (see plant): from the shape of the leaves

adjective

designating a family (Plantaginaceae, order Plantaginales) of dicotyledonous plants
plantain2 definition

plan·tain (plan′tin)

noun

  1. a hybrid banana plant (Musa × paradisiaca) that is widely cultivated in the Western Hemisphere
  2. the large, firm, curved fruit of this plant: in tropical areas, it is usually cooked while green, before the starch has converted into sugar

Etymology: altered (prob. infl. by plantain) < Sp plátano, banana tree, lit., plane tree (< L platanus: see plane), prob. misused for native name (as in Carib balatana)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

plantain Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • include: In addition the Spanish introduced many aspects of their own cuisine when passing through including plantains, ginger and oranges.

Adjective modifier

  • hoary: Pyramidal orchid, dwarf thistle, together with hoary plantain, a pretty relative of a common lawn weed, are seen.

Modifies a noun

  • leave: Getting back to nature in style - elegant vegetarian meals are served on plantain leaves.

Noun used with modifier

  • ribwort: Ribwort plantain seeds may germinate in the autumn of production or early the following year.
plantain usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

Link to this page:

Cite this page:

MLA Style

"plantain." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/plantain>

APA Style

plantain. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/plantain

Comments:

Please or Register to post a comment