plantains
plural of plantain
• plainants
Source: Wiktionary
Plan"tain, n. Etym: [Cf. F. plantain-arbre, plantanier, Sp. plántano, plátano; prob. same word as plane tree.]
1. (Bot.)
Definition: 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 (Zoöl.), any one of several large African birds of the genus Musophaga, or family Musophagidæ, especially Musophaga violacea. See Turaco. They are allied to the cuckoos.
– Plantain squirrel (Zoöl.), a Java squirrel (Sciurus plantani) which feeds upon plantains.
– Plantain tree (Bot.), the treelike herb Musa paradisiaca. See def. 1 (above).
Plan"tain, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. plantago. Cf. Plant.] (Bot.)
Definition: 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
16 January 2025
(noun) a collection of rules or prescribed standards on the basis of which decisions are made; “they run things by the book around here”
Coffee dates back to the 9th century. Goat herders in Ethiopia noticed their goats seem to be “dancing” after eating berries from a particular shrub. They reported it to the local monastery, and a monk made a drink out of it. The monk found out he felt energized and kept him awake at night. That’s how the first coffee drink was born.
