carbon

Where does the word "carbon" come from? It comes from Latin carbo, passing through French before entering English (1789).

Carbon’s story begins in Latin: carbo meant “charcoal, coal, ember.” The root of 'carbuncle' and 'carbonara'. By 1787, the word had taken hold in French as carbone. Coined for the pure elemental form found in charcoal and diamond. It reached English by 1789 as carbon. Lavoisier named the element 'carbone' in 1787 from Latin 'carbo', charcoal. Today, carbon means a nonmetallic chemical element that is the basis of all known life.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient carbo "charcoal, coal, ember", the root of 'carbuncle' and 'carbonara'.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1787 carbone "the element found in charcoal and diamond", coined for the pure elemental form found in charcoal and diamond.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1789 carbon "a nonmetallic element found in all known life", Lavoisier named the element 'carbone' in 1787 from Latin 'carbo', charcoal.