carbon
noun
[ ˈkɑːb(ə)n ]
• the chemical element of atomic number 6, a non-metal which has two main forms (diamond and graphite) and which also occurs in impure form in charcoal, soot, and coal.
• carbon dioxide or other gaseous carbon compounds released into the atmosphere, associated with climate change.
• "the level of carbon in the atmosphere has been consistently rising"
Origin:
late 18th century: from French carbone, from Latin carbo, carbon- ‘coal, charcoal’.
