Ba-nä'na, n.

(Synop., § 130), n. [Sp. banana, banano, bananás, Fr. banane.] (Bot.) A species of the genus Musa, and its fruit.

☞ The banana has a soft, herbaceous stalk, with leaves of great length and breadth. The flowers grow in bunches, covered with a sheath of a green or purple color; the fruit is five or six inches long, and over an inch in diameter; the pulp is soft, and of a luscious taste, and is eaten, when ripe, either raw or fried in slices. This tree is a native of tropical countries, and furnishes an important article of food. Loudon.