Definition

1. Noun:
   • A chemical element: An abundant nonmetallic element (symbol C, atomic number 6) that occurs in several different structural forms (allotropes), including diamond, graphite, and amorphous carbon. It is a fundamental component of all known life and most fuels.
   • A copy made using carbon paper: A duplicate document produced by placing carbon paper between sheets of paper while typing or writing on the top sheet.
   • A rod of carbon used in an arc lamp: A component in some types of electric lighting.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Element):
  • Diamond is a crystalline form of carbon.
  • All organic molecules contain carbon.
  • The scientist studied the carbon cycle in the environment.
• Noun (Copy):
  • Before photocopiers, secretaries made a carbon of every letter.
  • He kept the carbon for his records.
• Noun (Electrode):
  • The old projector used a bright arc light between two carbons.

Advanced Usage

• "Carbon copy (cc)": In email, this refers to sending a copy of a message to additional recipients. The term originates from the use of carbon paper.
  • Please cc the manager on that email.
• "Carbon dating": A scientific method for determining the age of an object containing organic material by measuring the amount of a radioactive isotope of carbon (carbon-14).
  • Carbon dating revealed the artifact was over 5,000 years old.
• "Carbon footprint": The total amount of greenhouse gases, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents, that are emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product.
  • The company is trying to reduce its carbon footprint.

Variants and Related Words

• Carbonate (verb/noun): To dissolve carbon dioxide in a liquid; a salt of carbonic acid.
  • The lake water is naturally carbonated. (verb)
  • Calcium carbonate is a common mineral. (noun)
• Carbonic (adjective): Relating to or containing carbon, especially carbon dioxide.
  • Carbonic acid forms when CO₂ dissolves in water.
• Carbonize (verb): To convert into carbon, typically by heating or burning in the absence of air.
  • The intense heat can carbonize wood.
• Carbonaceous (adjective): Consisting of or containing carbon.
  • The asteroid was a carbonaceous chondrite.

Synonyms

• C (Chemical symbol)
• Soot (for amorphous carbon/charcoal, in specific contexts)
• Charcoal (a specific porous form of carbon)
• Duplicate (for the copy meaning)

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: As a noun, 'carbon' does not commonly form phrasal verbs. The related terms are typically compound nouns.)

Related Idioms

• "A carbon copy of": Someone or something that looks or behaves exactly like another.
  • The new building is a carbon copy of the old one.

Noun

1. a copy made with carbon paper
2. a thin paper coated on one side with a dark waxy substance (often containing carbon); used to transfer characters from the original to an under sheet of paper
3. an abundant nonmetallic tetravalent element occurring in three allotropic forms: amorphous carbon and graphite and diamond; occurs in all organic compounds