plantain squirrel

1 definition found

plantain squirrel - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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]