Carbonic

a. Chem. [f. CARBON, or its L. source carbōn-em + -IC.]

  1.  Of or pertaining to carbon. esp. in certain chemical names, as Carbonic acid, a name originally given to the gas now more systematically called Carbon(ic) dioxide or Carbonic anhydride, CO₂, formerly also known as fixed air, the gas which is formed in the ordinary combustion of carbon, disengaged from fermenting liquors, given out in the breathing of animals, and largely evolved from fissures in the earth, constituting the choke damp or foul air of mines and caves. This is still popularly called carbonic acid gas, but the name Carbonic acid is applied in chemistry to the hydrate or compound CH₂ O₃ supposed to be formed when carbon dioxide comes in contact with water, of which the carbonates are the salts.

  Carbonic oxide = carbon monoxide, CO.

1791.  E. Darwin, Bot. Gard., I. 82, note. The various kinds of acids, as Carbonic acid (or fixed air).

1793.  T. Beddoes, Calculus, 234. It returns to the lungs surcharged with carbonic-hydrogene air.

1794.  R. J. Sulivan, View Nat., I. 232. This aerial, or carbonic acid.

1794.  J. Hutton, Philos. Light, &c. 161. The azotic and carbonic air.

1812.  Sir H. Davy, Chem. Philos., 105. An inflammable gas, called carbonic oxide, which burns with a blue flame.

1863.  A. C. Ramsay, Phys. Geog., i. (1878), 4. The carbonic acid in the air.

1873.  J. Cooke, New Chem., 143. This aeriform material is now called in chemistry carbonic dioxide.

1877.  Roberts, Handbk. Med., I. 383. The expired air may be cool, and is deficient in carbonic anhydride.

  b.  Of or caused by carbonic acid gas.

1872.  Aitken, Sc. & Pract. Med., II. 735. Carbonic narcosis may possibly, in some cases, retard the heart’s action.

  2.  Of coal or charcoal; of the Carbonari. (Also sb.)

1819.  H. Busk, Dessert, 421. Come share the heat of our carbonic fire.

1821.  Byron, To Moore, 19 Sept. The cause has been the exile of all my fellow Carbonics.