What is "banian"

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.

2. A man's loose gown, like that worn by the Banians.

3. (Bot.) The Indian fig. See Banyan.

   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.

n. (alternative spelling of banyan English)

1. n. East Indian tree that puts out aerial shoots that grow down into the soil forming additional trunks [syn: banyan, banyan tree, banian tree, Indian banyan, East Indian fig tree, Ficus bengalensis]

2. a loose fitting jacket; originally worn in India [syn: banyan]

Banian (َUrdu & Pashto بانیاں) is a town, and one of twenty union councils in Battagram District in the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa of Pakistan. The place was named by Bania (caste) of Narrore, while they formerly ruled the Jirgah System Kingdom for centuries. It is located at 34°36'30N 73°3'15E and has an altitude of 1287 metres (4225 feet).

Banian may refer to:

• An under-shirt or vest - a primarily Indian expression (Hindi)
• Bania (caste)
• Banian Hospital
• Banian, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
• Banian, Guinea
• Banian, Iran (disambiguation)
• Banyan (clothing)
• Banyan merchants
• Banyan tree