plantain

¹plan·tain

noun \ˈplan-t^ən\

Definition of PLANTAIN

: 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

Origin of PLANTAIN

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin plantagin-, plantago, from planta sole of the foot; from its broad leaves — more at place

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with PLANTAIN

canton, Canton, Scranton

²plantain

noun

Definition of PLANTAIN

1

: a banana plant (Musa paradisiaca)

2

: the angular greenish starchy fruit of the plantain that is a staple food in the tropics when cooked

Origin of PLANTAIN

Spanish plántano, plátano plane tree, banana tree, from Medieval Latin plantanus plane tree, alteration of Latin platanus — more at plane

First Known Use: 1555

Rhymes with PLANTAIN

canton

plan·tain

noun \ˈplant-^ən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PLANTAIN

: any plant of the genus Plantago