NYT Dictionary

PLANTAIN

/ˈplæn.tɪn/
NounPLAN-tainplan-tain · 2 syllablesGrade 8

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

Meaning

Any plant of the genus Plantago, with a rosette of sessile leaves about 10 cm (4") long with a narrow part instead of a petiole, and with a spike inflorescence with the flower spacing varying widely among the species. See also psyllium.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

Inherited from Middle English planteyne, planteyn, from Anglo-Norman plainteine et al., Old French plaintain, from Latin plantāgō, from planta (“sole of the foot”), a nasalized form of Proto-Indo-European *pleth₂- (“flat; to spread”), because of the broad, flat shape of the plantain leaves.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

waybreadfleawortberryfruitorangeweed

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 8 recorded puzzles:

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