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brazil

1

[ bruh-zil ]

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. 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

2

/ 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

  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.


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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.

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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

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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

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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

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Example Sentences

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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brazierBrazil Current