Etymology Borrowed from French carbone, coined by Antoine Lavoisier, from Latin carbō, carbōnem (“charcoal, coal”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *kerh₃- (“to burn”). By surface analysis, carbo- + -on.
The chemical element (symbol C) with an atomic number of 6. It can be found in pure form for example as graphite, a black, shiny and very soft material, or diamond, a colourless, transparent, crystalline solid and the hardest known material.
All life as we know it has carbon as the backbone of many of its molecules; carbon’s tetravalence gives it special importance in biochemical molecular bonds.
Carbon is the most common element in our bodies—indeed, in all living things on earth.2006, Michael Pollan, The Omnivore's Dilemma, The Penguin Press, →ISBN, page 20:
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Fans will pump air through the alkaline stream, which causes carbon dioxide to form solid calcium carbonate, the material from which seashells are formed, which will look like a fine sand, as well as dissolved bicarbonate.2024 April 21, Laura Paddison, “Can this ocean-based carbon plant help save the world? Some scientists are raising red flags”, in CNN:
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An atom of this element, in reference to a molecule containing it.
A methane molecule is made up of a single carbon with four hydrogens.
He stepped back and opened his bag and took out a printed pad of D.O.A. forms and began to write over a carbon.1939, Raymond Chandler, The Big Sleep, Penguin, published 2011, page 51:
A fossil fuel that is made of impure carbon such as coal or charcoal.
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Soot.
Every morning she cleaned the carbon from the lamp chimneys.
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Especially, hardened soot as a caked-on deposit.
When you overhaul an engine, you need to remove the carbon from around the valve seats. The carbon buildup can be extensive.
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Biology, Ecology, Natural sciencesAbbreviation, Ellipsis Ellipsis of carbon dioxide.
carbon neutral
carbon capture
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If Alberta’s reserves are a carbon bomb, this global expansion of tar sands and oil shale exploitation amounts to an escalating emissions arms race, the unlocking of a subterranean cache of weapons of mass ecological destruction.2014 April 25, Martin Lukacs, “Canada becoming launch-pad of a global tar sands and oil shale frenzy”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 190, number 20, page 13:
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A carbon rod or pencil used in an arc lamp.
To trim an arc lamp, first remove the old carbons and carefully and thoroughly wipe the carbon rods, holders, &c. with a clean, dry rag.1892, English Mechanic and World of Science, page 444:
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A plate or piece of carbon used as one of the elements of a voltaic battery.
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Abbreviation, Ellipsis, Informal Ellipsis of carbon fiber (reinforced polymer).
Etymology Borrowed from French carbone, coined by Antoine Lavoisier, from Latin carbō, carbōnem (“charcoal, coal”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *kerh₃- (“to burn”). By surface analysis, carbo- + -on.
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Internet, Uncommon To send a carbon copy of an email message to.