n. 1 a a lofty tree, Bertholletia excelsa, forming large forests in S. America. b (in full Brazil nut) a large three-sided nut with an edible kernel from this tree. 2 (in full Brazil-wood) a hard red wood from any tropical tree of the genus Caesalpina, that yields dyes.
[ the name of a S.Amer. country, named from Brazil-wood, ult. f. med.L brasilium ]