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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (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]


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]