traveler's tree

3 definitions found

traveler's tree - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Ravenala \Rav`e*na"la\ (r[a^]v`[-e]*n[aum]"l[.a]), n.
     [Malagasy.] (Bot.)
     A genus of plants related to the banana.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Ravenala Madagascariensis, the principal species, is
           an unbranched tree with immense oarlike leaves growing
           alternately from two sides of the stem. The sheathing
           bases of the leafstalks collect and retain rain water,
           which flows freely when they are pierced with a knife,
           whence the plant is called traveler's tree.
           [1913 Webster]

  Traveler \Trav"el*er\, n. [Written also traveler.]
     1. One who travels; one who has traveled much.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A commercial agent who travels for the purpose of
        receiving orders for merchants, making collections, etc.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Mach.) A traveling crane. See under Crane.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. (Spinning) The metal loop which travels around the ring
        surrounding the bobbin, in a ring spinner.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. (Naut.) An iron encircling a rope, bar, spar, or the like,
        and sliding thereon.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Traveler's joy (Bot.), the Clematis vitalba, a climbing
        plant with white flowers.
  
     Traveler's tree. (Bot.) See Ravenala.
        [1913 Webster]

traveler's tree - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  traveler's tree
      n 1: giant treelike plant having edible nuts and leafstalks that
           yield a refreshing drink of clear watery sap; reputedly an
           emergency source of water for travelers [syn: traveler's tree
           , traveller's tree, ravenala, Ravenala madagascariensis
           ]