‖n. [ Cf. Pg. & Sp. brasilete, It. brasiletto. ] See Brazil wood. [ 1913 Webster ]

prop. a. Of or pertaining to Brazil. -- n. A native or an inhabitant of Brazil. [ 1913 Webster ]

Brazilian pebble. See Pebble, n., 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. brésiline. See Brazil. ] (Chem.) A substance contained in both Brazil wood and Sapan wood, from which it is extracted as a yellow crystalline substance which is white when pure. It is colored intensely red by alkalies. [ Written also brezilin. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

(Bot.) An oily, three-sided nut, the seed of the Bertholletia excelsa; the cream nut. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ From eighteen to twenty-four of the seeds or “nuts” grow in a hard and nearly globular shell. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ 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 Cæsalpinia 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 ]