Brazil wood

Brazil wood
Brazil wood Bra*zil" wood`, Brazilwood Bra*zil"wood`(br[.a]*z[i^]l" w[oo^]d`). [OE. brasil, LL. brasile (cf. Pg. & Sp. brasil, Pr. bresil, Pr. bresil); perh. from Sp. or Pg. brasa a live coal (cf. {Braze}, {Brasier}); or Ar. vars plant for dyeing red or yellow. This name was given to the wood from its color; and it is said that King Emanuel, of Portugal, gave the name Brazil to the country in South America on account of its producing this wood.] [1913 Webster] 1. The wood of the oriental {C[ae]salpinia Sapan}; -- so called before the discovery of America. [1913 Webster]

2. A very heavy wood of a reddish color, imported from Brazil and other tropical countries, for cabinet-work, and for dyeing. The best is the heartwood of {Caesalpinia echinata}, a leguminous tree; but other trees also yield it. An inferior sort comes from Jamaica, the timber of {Caesalpinia Braziliensis} and {Caesalpinia crista}. This is often distinguished as {Braziletto}, but the better kind is also frequently so named. The wood is also used for violin bows. [1913 Webster]

3. a tropical tree ({Caesalpinia echinata}) with a prickly trunk; its heavy red heartwood (also called brazilwood) yields a red dye and is used for cabinetry.

Syn: peachwood, pernambuco wood. [WordNet 1.5]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • BRAZIL-WOOD —    a wood found in Brazil, of great value for dyeing red, the colouring principle being named Brasilin …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

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  • brazil — n. 1 a a lofty tree, Bertholletia excelsa, forming large forests in S. America. b (in full Brazil nut) a large three sided nut with an edible kernel from this tree. 2 (in full Brazil wood) a hard red wood from any tropical tree of the genus… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Brazil — noun 1》 (also Brazil nut) the large three sided nut of a South American forest tree (Bertholletia excelsa). 2》 (also Brazil wood) the hard red wood of a tropical tree (genus Caesalpinia) from which dye is obtained …   English new terms dictionary

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  • Brazil — 1550s, from Sp./Port. terra de brasil red dye wood land, from Sp. brasil or It. brasile, probably connected to Fr. braize (see BRAIZE (Cf. braize)) for resemblance of color to a glowing ember (but O.It. form verzino suggests a possible connection …   Etymology dictionary

  • brazil — [brə zil′] n. [ME brasile < Sp & Port brasil; prob. ult. (because of color) < Gmc * brasa: see BRAISE] 1. BRAZILWOOD 2. a red or blue dye from this wood …   English World dictionary

  • Wood economy — The existence of a wood economy, or more correctly, a forest economy (since in many countries a bamboo economy predominates), is a prominent matter in many developing countries as well as in many other nations with temperate climate and… …   Wikipedia

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