Part 512

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

Ban"at (&?;), n. [Cf. F. & G. banat. See Ban a warden.] The territory governed by a ban.

{ Banc (&?;), ||Ban"cus (&?;), Bank (&?;), } n. [OF. banc, LL. bancus. See Bank, n.] A bench; a high seat, or seat of distinction or judgment; a tribunal or court.

In banc, In banco (the ablative of bancus), In bank, in full court, or with full judicial authority; as, sittings in banc (distinguished from sittings at nisi prius).

||Ban"co (&?;), n. [It. See Bank.] A bank, especially that of Venice.

This term is used in some parts of Europe to indicate bank money, as distinguished from the current money, when this last has become depreciated.

Band (bnd), n. [OE. band, bond, Icel. band; akin to G., Sw., & D. band, OHG. bant, Goth. bandi, Skr. bandha a binding, bandh to bind, for bhanda, bhandh, also to E. bend, bind. In sense 7, at least, it is fr. F. bande, from OHG. bant. √90. See Bind, v. t., and cf. Bend, Bond, 1st Bandy.] 1. A fillet, strap, or any narrow ligament with which a thing is encircled, or fastened, or by which a number of things are tied, bound together, or confined; a fetter.

Every one's bands were loosed. Acts xvi. 26.

2. (Arch.) (a) A continuous tablet, stripe, or series of ornaments, as of carved foliage, of color, or of brickwork, etc. (b) In Gothic architecture, the molding, or suite of moldings, which encircles the pillars and small shafts.

3. That which serves as the means of union or connection between persons; a tie. "To join in Hymen's bands." Shak.

4. A linen collar or ruff worn in the 16th and 17th centuries.

5. pl. Two strips of linen hanging from the neck in front as part of a clerical, legal, or academic dress.

6. A narrow strip of cloth or other material on any article of dress, to bind, strengthen, ornament, or complete it. "Band and gusset and seam." Hood.

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7. A company of persons united in any common design, especially a body of armed men.

Troops of horsemen with his bands of foot. Shak.

8. A number of musicians who play together upon portable musical instruments, especially those making a loud sound, as certain wind instruments (trumpets, clarinets, etc.), and drums, or cymbals.

9. (Bot.) A space between elevated lines or ribs, as of the fruits of umbelliferous plants.

10. (Zoöl.) A stripe, streak, or other mark transverse to the axis of the body.

11. (Mech.) A belt or strap.

12. A bond. [Obs.] "Thy oath and band." Shak.

13. Pledge; security. [Obs.] Spenser.

Band saw, a saw in the form of an endless steel belt, with teeth on one edge, running over wheels.

Band (bnd), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Banded; p. pr. & vb. n. Banding.] 1. To bind or tie with a band.

2. To mark with a band.

3. To unite in a troop, company, or confederacy. "Banded against his throne." Milton.

Banded architrave, pier, shaft, etc. (Arch.), an architrave, pier, etc., of which the regular profile is interrupted by blocks or projections crossing it at right angles.