'Banyan' definitions:
Definition of 'banyan'
(from WordNet)
noun
East Indian tree that puts out aerial shoots that grow down into the soil forming additional trunks [syn: banyan, banyan tree, banian, banian tree, Indian banyan, East Indian fig tree, Ficus bengalensis]
noun
A loose fitting jacket; originally worn in India [syn: banyan, banian]
Definition of 'Banyan'
From: GCIDE
- Banyan \Ban"yan\ (b[a^]n"yan or b[a^]n*y[a^]n"), n. [See Banian.] (Bot.) A tree of the same genus as the common fig, and called the Indian fig (Ficus Indica), whose branches send shoots to the ground, which take root and become additional trunks, until it may be the tree covers some acres of ground and is able to shelter thousands of men. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'banyan'
From: GCIDE
- Banian \Ban"ian\ (b[a^]n"yan or b[a^]n*y[a^]n"; 277), n. [Skr. banij merchant. The tree was so named by the English, because used as a market place by the merchants.]
- 1. A Hindu trader, merchant, cashier, or money changer. [Written also banyan.] [1913 Webster]
- 2. A man's loose gown, like that worn by the Banians. [1913 Webster]
- 3. (Bot.) The Indian fig. See Banyan. [1913 Webster]
- Banian days (Naut.), days in which the sailors have no flesh meat served out to them. This use seems to be borrowed from the Banians or Banya race, who eat no flesh. [1913 Webster]