Brazil

Brazil proper n

Port. terra de brasil, land of red wood < Sp. brasa, hot coals; or, Celtic Hy-Brasil < breas, noble, fortunate.

1. Largest country in South America; nation rich in natural resources; east coast land on the Atlantic Ocean in the southern hemisphere; Pre-Columbian legendary island home of the Celtic god Breas; [fig.] heaven; spiritual gift; promised land.
2. Country that produces scarlet dye; geographical source of carmine dyestuff extracted from the heavy wood of the pau-brasil tree; [fig.] paradise; land of intense beauty; place of brilliant colors.