n. [ Sp. banana, name of the fruit. ] (Bot.) A perennial herbaceous plant of almost treelike size (Musa sapientum); also, its edible fruit. See Musa. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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 either raw or cooked. This plant is a native of tropical countries, and furnishes an important article of food. [ 1913 Webster ]

Banana bird (Zool.), a small American bird (Icterus leucopteryx), which feeds on the banana. --
Banana quit (Zool.), a small bird of tropical America, of the genus Certhiola, allied to the creepers. [ 1913 Webster ]

. A solution used as a vehicle in applying bronze pigments. In addition to acetote, benzine, and a little pyroxylin, it contains amyl acetate, which gives it the odor of bananas. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]