First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1plantain
noun plan·tain \ˈplan-tən\
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
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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
2plantain
noun
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 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: 1582
Rhymes with PLANTAIN
PLANTAIN[1] Defined for Kids
plantain
noun plan·tain \ˈplan-tən\
Definition of PLANTAIN for Kids
: 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
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