Brazil
/brəˈzɪl/noun
A country occupying much of eastern South America, or a tropical hardwood whose red dye helped inspire the country’s name.
Did you know?Portuguese traders called the tree pau-brasil, literally “brazil wood,” because its red heartwood produced a dye resembling glowing coals; the deeper origin of brasil remains debated.
Etymological Timeline
Medieval Latin and Romance usage
Latin/Romance
brasil
“A term associated with a red dye wood or red color; its ultimate origin is uncertain.”
13th–15th Century
Old French
bresil / brasile
“A name used in medieval European texts for a supposed or exotic red dye-producing wood, sometimes linked to legendary Atlantic islands.”
15th Century
Portuguese
brasil
“Brazilwood, a red-dye timber known in Portuguese trade.”
16th Century
Portuguese
pau-brasil
““Brazil wood,” from pau, “wood,” and brasil; the tree was abundant along the South American coast.”
16th Century
Portuguese
Terra do Brasil
““Land of Brazil,” referring to the territory whose profitable brazilwood exports made the name dominant.”
Modern English
English
Brazil
“The modern name of the South American country, standardized in English through Portuguese usage.”