carbon copy

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.

carbon copy

noun

1. a duplicate copy of writing, typewriting, or drawing obtained by using carbon paper Often shortened tocarbon
2. informal.
   a person or thing that is identical or very similar to another

Word History and Origins

Origin of carbon copy¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Related Words

• mirror image