banian Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun East Indian tree that puts out aerial shoots that grow down into the soil forming additional trunks
    banyan; East Indian fig tree; Indian banyan; banyan tree; banian tree; Ficus bengalensis.
  2. noun a loose fitting jacket; originally worn in India
    banyan.

WordNet

Ban"ian noun
Etymology
Skr. banij merchant. The tree was so named by the English, because used as a market place by the merchants.
Definitions
  1. A Hindoo trader, merchant, cashier, or money changer. Written also banyan.
  2. A man's loose gown, like that worn by the Banians.
  3. (Bot.) The Indian fig. See Banyan.

Webster 1913