Definition

A substance derived from brazilwood, known for its use as a dye and appearing as a yellow crystalline powder that turns red when exposed to air.

Example

The artist used brasilin to create vibrant red hues in her paintings.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of brasilin?

Yeah, I read that it's used for dyeing fabrics.

Exactly! It's interesting how it's extracted from brazilwood.

I know, right? It’s amazing what natural resources can do.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'brasilin' originates from the Portuguese word 'brasa', meaning 'ember' or 'live coal', which is derived from 'brasil', referring to the red dye obtained from the wood of the brazilwood tree. The term 'brasilin' specifically refers to a reddish dye or pigment derived from this source.

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'brasa', which means 'ember', to remember that 'brasilin' refers to a reddish dye, much like the color of glowing embers.

Visually Confused Words