• 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: 18...

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• 1. the red or purple dye extracted from any of these woods - See also brazilin
• 2. short for brazil nut
• 3. C14: from Old Spanish brasil , from brasa glowing coals, of Germanic origin; referring to the redness of the wood; see braise

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