carbon

/'kɑ:bən/
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carbon

A secretary places a sheet of carbon paper between two white sheets.

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.
carbon

A secretary places a sheet of carbon paper between two white sheets.

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