Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Carbonic

Car-bon′ic

,
Adj.
[Cf. F.
carbonique
. See
Carbon
.]
(Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, carbon;
as,
carbonic
oxide
.
Carbonic acid
(Chem.)
,
an acid
HO.CO.OH
, not existing separately, which, combined with positive or basic atoms or radicals, forms carbonates. In common language the term is very generally applied to a compound of carbon and oxygen,
CO2
, more correctly called
carbon dioxide
. It is a colorless, heavy, irrespirable gas, extinguishing flame, and when breathed destroys life. It can be reduced to a liquid and solid form by intense pressure. It is produced in the fermentation of liquors, and by the combustion and decomposition of organic substances, or other substances containing carbon. It is formed in the explosion of fire damp in mines, and is hence called
after damp
; it is also know as
choke damp
, and
mephitic air
. Water will absorb its own volume of it, and more than this under pressure, and in this state becomes the common soda water of the shops, and the carbonated water of natural springs. Combined with lime it constitutes limestone, or common marble and chalk. Plants imbibe it for their nutrition and growth, the carbon being retained and the oxygen given out.
Carbonic oxide
(Chem.)
,
a colorless gas,
CO
, of a light odor, called more correctly
carbon monoxide
. It is almost the only definitely known compound in which carbon seems to be divalent. It is a product of the incomplete combustion of carbon, and is an abundant constituent of water gas. It is fatal to animal life, extinguishes combustion, and burns with a pale blue flame, forming carbon dioxide.

Webster 1828 Edition


Carbonic

CARBONIC

,
Adj.
Pertaining to carbon, or obtained from it. The carbonic acid is a saturated combination of carbon and oxygen. It has been called fixed air, aerial acid, mephitic gas, and cretaceous acid, or acid of chalk. It is found, in some places, in a state of gas; it exists in the atmosphere, and is disengaged from fermenting liquors, and from decomposing vegetable and animal substances. It is heavier than common air, and subsides into low places, vaults and wells.

Definition 2024


carbonic

carbonic

English

Adjective

carbonic (not comparable)

  1. Of or relating to carbon.

Derived terms

Translations