heavy wood of various brazilwood trees; used for violin bows and as dyewoods
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tropical tree with prickly trunk; its heavy red wood yields a red dye and is used for cabinetry
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Brazil wood \Bra*zil" wood`\, Brazilwood \Bra*zil"wood`\(br[.a]*z[i^]l" w[oo^]d`). [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.] 1. The wood of the oriental {C[ae]salpinia Sapan}; -- so called before the discovery of America.
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.
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.