Definition of "carbon" []

• 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. (noun)
• A sheet of carbon paper. (noun)
• A carbon copy. (noun)
• Electricity Either of two rods through which current flows to form an arc, as in lighting or welding. (noun)
• Electricity A carbonaceous electrode in an electric cell. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Methods of extraction 1) by heat alone: thermal decomposition  silver oxide sliver + oxygen 2) by heating with carbon  copper +carbon copper + carbon oxide dioxide"
• "But is there any way to just toss away the term carbon tax and replace it with the carbon dioxide credit program, where 100% of the credit collected by the government would be returned to the taxpayer?"
• "The term carbon equivalent is used because very often, there are other greenhouse gases involved other than carbon dioxide."