Sekirov Dictionary

carbon

UK /ˈkɑːbən/US /ˈkɑɹ.bən/

noun 11
verb 1
forms 3
phrases 1

noun11

•
an element that is part of every living thing, and which in pure form is diamond or the soft black material inside a pencil
- 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.
•
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.
Ellipsis of carbon dioxide.
(informal) Ellipsis of carbon fiber (reinforced polymer).
•
Soot.
- Every morning she cleaned the carbon from the lamp chimneys.
•
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.
•
(informal) A carbon copy.
- Please provide me with a carbon of your form.
- Press firmly: you are making a carbon.
A fossil fuel that is made of impure carbon such as coal or charcoal.
•
(informal) A sheet of carbon paper.
- 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
•
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
A plate or piece of carbon used as one of the elements of a voltaic battery.

verb1

•
(Internet) To send a carbon copy of an email message to.
- When I send it, I’ll carbon Julia so she’s aware.

forms

carboned · carboning · carbons

Phrases with carbon

carbon burning
The nucleosynthesis process, in stars of greater than 8 solar mass that have exhausted their helium supply, in which carbon is converted to neon, sodium, magnesium and other elements.

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