Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Musa \Mu"sa\, n.; pl. {Mus[ae]}. [NL., fr. Ar. mauz, mauza,
   banana.] (Bot.)
   A genus of perennial, herbaceous, endogenous plants of great
   size, including the banana ({Musa sapientum}), the plantain
   ({M. paradisiaca} of Linn[ae]us, but probably not a distinct
   species), the Abyssinian ({M. Ensete}), the Philippine Island
   ({M. textilis}, which yields Manila hemp), and about eighteen
   other species. See Illust. of {Banana} and {Plantain}.

Banana \Ba*na"na\, n. [Sp. banana, name of the fruit.] (Bot.)
   A perennial herbaceous plant of almost treelike size ({Musa
   sapientum}); also, its edible fruit. See {Musa}.

   Note: 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.

   {Banana bird} (Zo["o]l.), a small American bird ({Icterus
      leucopteryx}), which feeds on the banana.

   {Banana quit} (Zo["o]l.), a small bird of tropical America,
      of the genus {Certhiola}, allied to the creepers.