From Biology-Online Dictionary | Biology-Online Dictionary


1. A kind of flag attached to a spear or pike by a crosspiece, and used by a chief as his standard in battle. Hang out our banners on the outward walls. (Shak)


3. Any flag or standard; as, the star-spangled banner.

(Science: zoology) banner fish, a large fish of the genus Histiophorus, of the swordfish family, having a broad bannerlike dorsal fin; the sailfish. One species (H. Americanus) inhabits the North atlantic.

Origin: oe. Banere, OF. Baniere, f. Banniere, bandiere, fr. LL. Baniera, banderia, fr. Bandum banner, fr. OHG. Bant band, strip of cloth; cf. Bindan to bind, goth. Bandwa, bandwo, a sign. See band.