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carbon
The definition of carbon is a nonmetallic chemical element found in all natural element combinations and some man-made element combinations.
(noun)- An example of carbon is the basic element found in coal.
- An example of carbon is a basic matter found in dinosaur bones which is used to determine the age of the bone.
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See carbon in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- a nonmetallic chemical element found in many inorganic compounds and all organic compounds: diamond and graphite are pure carbon; carbon is the basic element in coal, coke, charcoal, soot, etc.: symbol, C; at. no., 6: a radioactive isotope () is used as a tracer in chemical and biochemical research, and, because of its half-life of 5,730 years and its presence in all carbon-containing matter, it is a means of dating archaeological specimens, fossils, etc.
- a sheet of carbon paper
- carbon copy
- a stick of carbon used in an arc lamp
- a carbon plate or rod used in a battery
Origin: Fr carbone < L carbo (gen. carbonis), coal < IE base *ker-, to burn > hearth
adjective
of, like, or treated with carbon
See carbon in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- Symbol C A naturally abundant nonmetallic element that occurs in many inorganic and in all organic compounds, exists freely as graphite and diamond and as a constituent of coal, limestone, and petroleum, and is capable of chemical self-bonding to form an enormous number of chemically, biologically, and commercially important molecules. Atomic number 6; atomic weight 12.011; sublimation point above 3,500°C; boiling point 4,827°C; specific gravity of amorphous carbon 1.8 to 2.1, of diamond 3.15 to 3.53, of graphite 1.9 to 2.3; valence 2, 3, 4. See Table at element.
- a. A sheet of carbon paper.b. A carbon copy.
- Electricity a. Either of two rods through which current flows to form an arc, as in lighting or welding.b. A carbonaceous electrode in an electric cell.
Origin:
Origin: French carbone
Origin: , from Latin carbō, carbōn-, a coal, charcoal; see ker-3 in Indo-European roots
.Related Forms:
- carˈbon·ous (-bə-nəs) adjective
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