carbon-paper

She placed a sheet of carbon-paper between two pages to make a copy.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A thin paper coated with carbon or other material: "carbon-paper" is a type of paper that has a layer of carbon or similar substance on one side. It is used to transfer writing or typing from one sheet to another, typically placed between two sheets of ordinary paper to create a copy.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She placed a sheet of carbon-paper between the two pages to make a duplicate of her letter. (Using the carbon-coated paper to transfer text.)
  • Before photocopiers, carbon-paper was essential for creating multiple copies of documents. (Describing its historical use in offices.)

Advanced Usage

• "to use carbon-paper": to employ this paper for copying.

  • The secretary used carbon-paper to produce three copies of the report at once. (She placed the carbon-paper between sheets to make simultaneous copies.)

• "carbon-paper copy": a duplicate made with carbon-paper.

  • He kept a carbon-paper copy of the contract for his records. (A physical duplicate created by the carbon transfer process.)

Variants and Related Words

• Carbon (n): a nonmetallic element, often used in the form of carbon black for coating paper.

  • The carbon in carbon-paper is what transfers the image. (The element responsible for the copying effect.)

• Carbonless paper (n): a type of paper that creates copies without carbon coating, using chemical reactions.

  • Modern forms use carbonless paper instead of carbon-paper. (A newer alternative to traditional carbon-paper.)

Synonyms

• Copy paper: a general term for paper used to make copies (though not specific to carbon-paper).
• Transfer paper: paper used to transfer images or text (often used in art or printing).

Related Idioms

• "Carbon-copy": a perfect duplicate or imitation of something.

  • Her performance was a carbon-copy of the original actress's style. (An exact replica, derived from the idea of carbon-paper copies.)

• "To be a carbon copy": to be identical to someone or something.

  • The new building is a carbon copy of the old one. (It looks exactly the same.)

Note on Usage

Carbon-paper is now largely obsolete due to digital copying and printing technologies, but it remains a historical term used in discussions of office equipment and document duplication.