Brazils

/brəˈzɪlz/ noun

Definition

Plural of brazil; multiple pieces or sources of brasilwood or the red-brown dye extracted from it.

Etymology

Simple plural of 'brazil,' from Portuguese 'brasil,' possibly from Arabic 'baraz' meaning bright or shining, or from Indian language sources. The word eventually gave its name to the country Brazil due to the abundance of brasilwood.

Kelly Says

The country Brazil is actually named after a tree—when Portuguese explorers found so much brasilwood there, the land became known as 'Terra do Brasil' (Land of Brazil), and eventually the entire nation took its name from this valuable dye source.

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