an ancient order of knights, or feudat lords, who, possessing several large fees, led their vassals to battle under their own flag, when summoned thereto by the king.

BANNISTERIA, in botany, a genus of the decandria trigynia clasps. The calyx is divided into 5 parts, with a nectarium at the base of each; the petals are roundish and unguiculated; the capsule contains 3 membranaceous alated seeds. The species are 7, all natives of America.