Banian

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [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]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  banian
       n 1: East Indian tree that puts out aerial shoots that grow down
            into the soil forming additional trunks [syn: {banyan},
            {banyan tree}, {banian tree}, {Indian banyan}, {East
            Indian fig tree}, {Ficus bengalensis}]
       2: a loose fitting jacket; originally worn in India [syn: {banyan}]