Brazilite

/ˈbræzɪlaɪt/ noun

Definition

A historical term for various tropical woods that produce red-brown dyes, or sometimes a mineral variety; also relates to the dye compounds from brasilwood.

Etymology

From 'brazil' (the dyewood) plus the suffix '-ite' (used for minerals and sometimes for substances). The word bridges the meaning of the wood itself and the dye products it contains.

Kelly Says

Brazilite shows how words can blur between describing a natural material and the chemical compound it contains—it's similar to how 'amber' can mean the fossilized resin OR the color it produces.

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