I. mə-ˈdir-ə, -ˈder- noun
Etymology: Portuguese, from Madeira Islands
Date: 1596
: an amber-colored fortified wine from Madeira ; also : a similar wine made elsewhere
II. mə-ˈdir-ə, -ˈder-ə geographical name
1. river 2013 miles (3239 kilometers ) W Brazil formed at Bolivian border by confluence of the Mamoré & the Beni & flowing NE to the Amazon
2. islands in N Atlantic N of the Canaries belonging to Portugal capital Funchal area 308 square miles (798 square kilometers ), population 253,000
3. island, chief of group area 285 square miles (741 square kilometers )
• Ma·dei·ran -ˈdir-ən, -ˈder- adjective or noun