1. n. any shrub of the genus Plantago, with broad flat leaves spread out close to the ground and seeds used as food for birds and as a mild laxative.
Phrases and idioms:
plantain lily HOSTA.
Etymology: ME f. OF f. L plantago -ginis f. planta sole of the foot (from its broad prostrate leaves) 2. n.1 a banana plant, Musa paradisiaca, widely grown for its fruit.
2 the starchy fruit of this containing less sugar than a dessert banana and chiefly used in cooking.
Etymology: earlier platan f. Sp. pl{aacute}(n)tano plane-tree, prob. assim. f. Galibi palatana etc.