Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A country: The Federative Republic of Brazil, the largest country in both South America and Latin America by area and population. It is the world's largest Portuguese-speaking nation.
   • A nut: A three-sided nut from a tropical American tree, known for its hard brown shell and white, oily kernel. (This meaning is now rare and typically referred to as a "Brazil nut").

Examples

• Proper noun (Country):

  • Brazil is famous for its vibrant Carnival celebrations.
  • The capital of Brazil is Brasília.
  • They are traveling to Brazil to see the Amazon rainforest.

• Noun (Nut - historical/rare usage):

  • The recipe called for brazils, but she used walnuts instead. (Note: Modern usage would be "Brazil nuts").

Advanced Usage

• "The Brazil of the...": A metaphorical phrase used to compare another region's potential or role to that of Brazil, often in terms of economic growth, size, or natural resources.
  • Some economists called it the Brazil of Southeast Asia due to its rapid development.

Variants and Related Words

• Brazilian (adjective): Of or relating to Brazil.
  • Brazilian culture is incredibly diverse.
• Brazil nut (noun): The modern common name for the edible seed.
  • She cracked open a Brazil nut.

Synonyms

• For the country: Federative Republic of Brazil.
• For the nut: Brazil nut, para nut.

Notes on Usage

The primary and overwhelmingly most common modern meaning of "Brazil" is as the proper noun naming the country. The nut meaning is largely archaic; the term "Brazil nut" is used instead. When capitalized ("Brazil"), it always refers to the country.

Noun

1. three-sided tropical American nut with white oily meat and hard brown shell
2. the largest Latin American country and the largest Portuguese speaking country in the world; located in the central and northeastern part of South America; world's leading coffee exporter