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plantain

noun plan·tain \ ˈplan-tᵊn \
Updated on: 28 Feb 2018
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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 and Etymology of plantain

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

2

plantain

noun plan·tain \ plan-ˈtān , ˈplan-ˌtān , ˈplan-tᵊn \

Definition of plantain

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)

Origin and Etymology of plantain

Spanish plántano, plátano plane tree, banana tree, from Medieval Latin plantanus plane tree, alteration of Latin platanus — more at 4plane

PLANTAIN Defined for Kids

plantain

noun plan·tain \ ˈplan-tᵊn \

Definition of plantain for Students

: 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 Dictionary

plantain

noun plan·tain \ ˈplant-ᵊn \

medical Definition of plantain

: any plant of the genus Plantago

Learn More about plantain

  1. See words that rhyme with plantain Spanish Central: Translation of plantain Nglish: Translation of plantain for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plantain

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