\Plan"tain\, n. [Cf. F. plantain-arbre, plantanier, Sp.
pl['a]ntano, pl['a]tano; prob. same word as plane tree.]
1. (Bot.) A treelike perennial herb ({Musa paradisiaca}) of
   tropical regions, bearing immense leaves and large
   clusters of the fruits called plantains. See {Musa}.
2. The fruit of this plant. It is long and somewhat
   cylindrical, slightly curved, and, when ripe, soft,
   fleshy, and covered with a thick but tender yellowish
   skin. The plantain is a staple article of food in most
   tropical countries, especially when cooked.
{Plantain cutter}, or {Plantain eater} (Zo["o]l.), any one of
   several large African birds of the genus {Musophaga}, or
   family {Musophagid[ae]}, especially {Musophaga violacea}.
   See {Turaco}. They are allied to the cuckoos.
{Plantain squirrel} (Zo["o]l.), a Java squirrel ({Sciurus
   plantani}) which feeds upon plantains.
{Plantain tree} (Bot.), the treelike herb {Musa paradisiaca}.
   See def. 1 (above).

\Plan"tain\, n. [F., fr. L. plantago. Cf. {Plant}.]
(Bot.)
Any plant of the genus {Plantago}, but especially the {P.
major}, a low herb with broad spreading radical leaves, and
slender spikes of minute flowers. It is a native of Europe,
but now found near the abode of civilized man in nearly all
parts of the world.
{Indian plantain}. (Bot.) See under {Indian}.
{Mud plantain}, a homely North American aquatic plant
   ({Heteranthera reniformis}), having broad, reniform
   leaves.
{Rattlesnake plantain}, an orchidaceous plant ({Goodyera
   pubescens}), with the leaves blotched and spotted with
   white.
{Ribwort plantain}. See {Ribwort}.
{Robin's plantain}, the {Erigeron bellidifolium}, a common
   daisylike plant of North America.
{Water plantain}, a plant of the genus {Alisma}, having acrid
   leaves, and formerly regarded as a specific against
   hydrophobia. --Loudon.