carbon copy

American  

noun

1. 1. a duplicate of anything written or typed, made by using a photocopier or, formerly, by using carbon paper. cc

   2. a copy of an email or other electronic document that is sent to one or more people in addition to the primary addressee. cc

2. a near or exact duplicate of a given person or thing; replica.

   She's a carbon copy of her mother.

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carbon copy British  

noun

1. Often shortened to: carbon.  a duplicate copy of writing, typewriting, or drawing obtained by using carbon paper

2. informal a person or thing that is identical or very similar to another

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carbon copy Idioms  

1. A person or thing that closely resembles another, as in Our grandson is a carbon copy of his dad. Originally this term meant a copy of a document made by using carbon paper. The linguistic transfer to other kinds of duplicate survived the demise of carbon paper (replaced by photocopiers, computer printers, and other more sophisticated devices). [c. 1870]

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Etymology

Origin of carbon copy

First recorded in 1890–95

Related Words

• mirror image