\Ba*na"na\, n. [Sp. banana, name of the fruit.] (Bot.)
A perennial herbaceous plant of almost treelike size ({Musa
sapientum}); also, its edible fruit. See {Musa}.
Note: The banana has a soft, herbaceous stalk, with leaves of
      great length and breadth. The flowers grow in bunches,
      covered with a sheath of a green or purple color; the
      fruit is five or six inches long, and over an inch in
      diameter; the pulp is soft, and of a luscious taste,
      and is eaten either raw or cooked. This plant is a
      native of tropical countries, and furnishes an
      important article of food.
{Banana bird} (Zo["o]l.), a small American bird ({Icterus
   leucopteryx}), which feeds on the banana.
{Banana quit} (Zo["o]l.), a small bird of tropical America,
   of the genus {Certhiola}, allied to the creepers.