banyan
|ban-yan|
/ˈbænjən/
large Indian fig tree with aerial roots
Etymology
'banyan' originates from Gujarati, specifically the word 'vāṇiyo' (a variant 'vaniyo'/'vaniyan'), where 'vāṇiyo' meant 'merchant'.
'banyan' changed from the Gujarati/Hindustani word 'vāṇiyo' and passed into Portuguese (recorded as 'banian' or similar) before entering English in the 17th century; the term originally referred to Indian merchants and later was applied to the fig tree and to a loose gown.
Initially, it meant 'merchant'; over time the meaning broadened and shifted to include 'a large fig tree (often under which merchants met)' and the clothing sense 'a loose gown' in English.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a large tropical fig tree (especially Ficus benghalensis) native to the Indian subcontinent, noted for its wide canopy and aerial prop roots that become trunk-like.
A huge banyan shaded the market square, its aerial roots reaching the ground like extra trunks.
Synonyms
Noun 2
historically, an Indian merchant or trader (archaic usage derived from South Asian languages).
In older accounts, European writers often referred to local merchants as banyans.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/11 14:27