brazil

¹

[ bruh-zil ]

noun

1. brazilwood.

Brazil

²

[ bruh-zil ]

noun

1. a republic in South America. 3,286,170 sq. mi. (8,511,180 sq. km). : Brasília.

brazil

¹

/ brəˈzɪl /

noun

1. Also calledbrazil wood the red wood obtained from various tropical leguminous trees of the genus Caesalpinia , such as C. echinata of America: used for cabinetwork
2. the red or purple dye extracted from any of these woods See also brazilin
3. short for brazil nut

Brazil

²

/ brəˈzɪl /

noun

1. a republic in South America, comprising about half the area and half the population of South America: colonized by the Portuguese from 1500 onwards; became independent in 1822 and a republic in 1889; consists chiefly of the tropical Amazon basin in the north, semiarid scrub in the northeast, and a vast central tableland; an important producer of coffee and minerals, esp iron ore. Official language: Portuguese. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: real. Capital: Brasília. Pop: 201 009 622 (2013 est). Area: 8 511 957 sq km (3 286 470 sq miles)

Brazil

1. Republic in eastern South America . It borders on every South American country except Chile and Ecuador . Its capital is Brasilia , and its largest city is São Paulo.

Notes

The only country in South America whose history was dominated by Portugal ; it is the largest Portuguese-speaking country in the world.

The largest of the Latin-American countries, Brazil occupies almost half of South America.

It is the world's leading coffee exporter.

Other Words From

• an·ti-Bra·zil·ian adjective noun
• Bra·zil·ian [br, uh, -, zil, -y, uh, n], adjective noun
• pro-Bra·zil·ian adjective noun
• pseu·do-Bra·zil·ian adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of brazil¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English brasile, from Medieval Latin, from Italian, from Spanish brasil, derivative of brasa “live coal” (the wood being red in color), from Germanic; braise

Word History and Origins

Origin of brazil¹

C14: from Old Spanish brasil , from brasa glowing coals, of Germanic origin; referring to the redness of the wood; see braise

Example Sentences

As climate change becomes more of a threat, fears of increasing deforestation to meet the world’s demand — or to provide cover for other industrialization of virgin forests — have arisen thanks to new policies in Brazil.

From TechCrunch

Though Redman had worked as a fashion photographer in Brazil, she hadn’t done much night photography.

From Washington Post

Indeed, several case reports in Brazil have already documented such reinfections with variants containing the E484K mutation.

From Quanta Magazine

Brazil was in terrific rhythm, and if not for Labbé's pushing Adriana’s 25-yard blast off the crossbar, the outcome would have been settled by halftime.

From Washington Post

That’s higher than the 50% efficacy reported last month by Brazil’s Butantan Institute, which conducted late-stage trials in the country.

From Quartz

In Brazil people color code their underwear according to their needs.

From The Daily Beast

The rift put Washington at odds with countries like Brazil, Uruguay or Chile, which seemed to have come to terms with their past.

From The Daily Beast

Lastly, the re-opening of diplomatic ties between Havana and Washington gives Brazil a chance to push for changes in Cuba.

From The Daily Beast

Santa Catarina, Brazil There could not be a better time to visit Brazil.

From The Daily Beast

But they were not making enough profits, as the rate of growth had slowed as Brazil invested in the welfare of its own people.

From The Daily Beast

Be Bry in his History of Brazil describes its use and also some interesting particulars concerning the plant.

From Project Gutenberg

The first rail road opened in Brazil, the emperor and empress being present at the inauguration.

From Project Gutenberg

It is usually asserted that the tobacco grown in Brazil contains only two per cent.

From Project Gutenberg

In Brazil, the slave-trade exists in full force; in Cuba, it is unmitigated in its extent and horrors.

From Project Gutenberg

The cigars of Brazil, like those made of South American (p. 308) tobacco, are noted for their superior flavor.

From Project Gutenberg