name
Brazil
bruh-ZIHL
name
1
A large Portuguese-speaking country in South America; capital Brasília.
"Brazil is the largest country in South America by both area and population."
noun
1
A reddish dye, or the hard reddish-brown wood it comes from (brazilwood).
"Brazil wood was once prized in Europe for the rich red dye it produced."
How to Use Brazil
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly the country name; less commonly the reddish dyewood that gave the country its name.
Word Forms
brazils plural
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_____ is the largest country in South America by both area and population.
Etymology
The country is named after brazilwood, a valuable dyewood exported from the region; the wood's name in turn comes from Portuguese brasa ("ember"), describing its glowing red colour.