Meaning
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- 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.
- An atom of this element, in reference to a molecule containing it.
- (informal) A sheet of carbon paper.
- (informal) A carbon copy.
- A fossil fuel that is made of impure carbon such as coal or charcoal.
- carbon dioxide, in the context of climate change.
- A carbon rod or pencil used in an arc lamp.
- A plate or piece of carbon used as one of the elements of a voltaic battery.
- (informal) Ellipsis of carbon fiber (reinforced polymer).
Synonyms
atomic number 6
carbon-paper
copying paper
Frequency
Pronounced as (IPA)
/ˈkɑɹ.bən/
Etymology
Borrowed from French carbone, coined by Antoine Lavoisier, from Latin carbō, carbōnem (“charcoal, coal”), from Proto-Indo-European *kerh₃- (“to burn”).
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Notes