plantain cutter

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Plantain \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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Plantain cutter, or Plantain eater (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), a Java squirrel (Sciurus plantani) which feeds upon plantains.

Plantain tree (Bot.), the treelike herb Musa paradisiaca. See def. 1 (above). [1913 Webster]