1550s, from Spanish/Portuguese terra de brasil "red-dye-wood land," from Spanish brasil or Italian brasile, probably connected to French braize (see braize) for resemblance of color to a glowing ember (but Old Italian form verzino suggests a possible connection with Arabic wars "saffron"). Originally the name of a type of wood from an East Indian tree, used in making dye; the name later was transferred to a similar South American species. Brazil in reference to the wood is attested in English from late 14c. Complicating matters is Hy Brasil, a name applied by 1436 to one of the larger Azores Islands, later transferred to a legendary island or rock off the west coast of Ireland (sighted in 1791 at lat. 51° 10', long. 15° 58').
双语例句
1. Brazil is putting forward a new debt repayment plan.
巴西即将提出一个新的债务偿付计划。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Brazil says its constitution forbids the private ownership of energy assets.
巴西称其宪法禁止个人占有能源资产。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Mr Mendes was leading a campaign to save Brazil's rainforest from exploitation.
门德斯先生正领导一场运动，以拯救遭到乱砍滥伐的巴西热带雨林。
来自柯林斯例句
4. The constitution also confers large powers on Brazil's 25 constituent states.
宪法还赋予巴西的25个成员州很大的权力。
来自柯林斯例句
5. The President is in Brazil for an official two-day visit.
