carbo

¹ American  

[kahr-boh] / ˈkɑr boʊ /

noun

Informal.

plural

carbos

1. carbohydrate.

2. a food having a high carbohydrate content.

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carbo- ² American  

1. a combining form used in the names of chemical compounds in which carbon is present.

   carbohydrate.

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carbo- British  

combining form

1. carbon

   carbohydrate

   carbonate

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Usage

What does carbo- mean? The combining form carbo- is used like a prefix meaning “carbon.” It is often used in scientific terms, especially in chemistry. The form carbo- ultimately comes from Latin carbō, meaning “charcoal.” Yes, charcoal. The dishes carbonara and carbonade are also related to the Latin carbō. The Greek translation of Latin carbō is ánthrax, “charcoal” or “carbuncle,” which is the source of the word anthrax. Find out more at our entry for the word. What are variants of carbo-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, carbo- becomes carb-, as in carbene. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article for carb-.

Etymology

Origin of carbo

By shortening; cf. -o

Example Sentences

There are efforts underway to get FAA approval for completely autonomous carbo planes to operate alongside piloted aircraft, he said.

From Slate • Jan. 20, 2023

Voting for the scarecrow contest ends Sunday, but the Pervans plan to keep their carbo Solo out until after Halloween.

From Washington Post • Oct. 17, 2022

She counted each carbo, was losing her cargo, She fasted, she cleansed and she juiced.

From New York Times • Jun. 12, 2016

"The most important supplement you will benefit from is carbohydrate – anything with a carbohydrate component to it, whether it's sports drinks or carbo gels that top up supplies of glycogen."

From The Guardian • Feb. 1, 2013

Some of the translations of the 13th and 14th century render carbo by cool or col, some by gold, and some omit this line, as well as others unintelligible to the translators.

From The Earth as Modified by Human Action by Marsh, George P.