carbonous

car·bon  (kärbn)

n.

1. 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.

2.

a. A sheet of carbon paper.

b. A carbon copy.

3. 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.

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[French carbone, from Latin carb, carbn-, a coal, charcoal; see ker-³ in Indo-European roots.]

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carbon·ous (-b-ns) adj.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

carbonous - relating to or consisting of or yielding carbon carbonaceous, carbonic, carboniferous