Carbos

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of carbohydrate that serves as a primary energy source for living organisms
2. A colloquial term for sugars and starchy foods commonly consumed in diets
3. Referring to any food item high in carbohydrates, contributing to daily caloric intake

Etymology: Carbo is a clipping, a shortened form of "carbohydrate," and its name is a chemist's compound built from two older pieces. The "carbo-" part comes from Latin "carbōnem," meaning charcoal, which is where English also gets "carbon." The "-hydrate" part traces back through French "hydrate" to Ancient Greek "hūdōr," water, so the whole word literally records a substance made of carbon and water. "Carbos" is simply the plural, used for foods rich in these starches and sugars, such as bread, pasta, and rice. The clipped form drops the full "carbohydrate" to make everyday talk, especially in diet and sports contexts, quicker.

Synonyms: carbons, carbon compounds