Banyan Definition

banyən
banyans
noun
banyans
A tropical Indian fig tree (Ficus benghalensis), often widely spreading because of the many aerial roots that descend from the branches and develop into additional trunks. It is planted for ornament and shade.
American Heritage
A widespread, tropical fig tree (Ficus benghalensis) that is native to India: shoots that grow from its branches take root and form new trunks over a relatively wide area.
Webster's New World

An Indian trader, merchant, cashier, or money changer.

Wiktionary

A tropical Indian fig tree, Ficus benghalensis, that has many aerial roots.

Wiktionary

A type of loose gown worn in India.

Wiktionary
Synonyms:
  • East Indian fig tree
  • Indian banyan
  • banian tree
  • Ficus bengalensis
  • banian
  • banyan tree

Other Word Forms of Banyan

Noun

Singular:
banyan
Plural:
banyans

Origin of Banyan

  • From Portuguese baniano, from Arabic بنيان, from Gujarati વાણિયો (vāṇiyo, “merchant”), from Sanskrit वाणिज (vāṇijá), from earlier वणिज् (vaṇíj, “merchant, trader”). The name appears to have been first bestowed popularly on a famous tree of this species growing near Bandar Abbas, under which the Bannians or Hindu traders settled at that port, had built a little pagoda.

    From Wiktionary

  • Short for banyan tree merchants' tree from Portuguese banian Hindu merchant from Gujarati vāṇiyo from Sanskrit vāṇijaḥ wen-1 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Banyan Sentence Examples

  • Many of the inhabitants are the well-known Banyan merchants of the east coast of Africa and Arabia.

  • The oleander grows here to be a tree, and there is a banyan tree, said to be the only one growing out of doors in the United States.

  • The intermediate tract is a region of rich cultivation, dotted with great banyan trees, thickets of bamboos, exquisite palm foliage and mango groves.

  • The tamarind and banyan are also noteworthy.

  • There is also in these districts a Hindu element in the population, for intercourse has also been maintained for some centuries between India and northern Madagascar, and in some towns the Banyan Indian element is as prominent as the Arab element.

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Words Starting With

BBABAN

Words Ending With

NANYAN

Unscrambles

banyan

Words Starting With B and Ending With N

Starts With B & Ends With NStarts With BA & Ends With NStarts With B & Ends With AN

Word Length

6 Letter Words6 Letter Words Starting With B6 Letter Words Ending With N