carnation Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun Eurasian plant with pink to purple-red spice-scented usually double flowers; widely cultivated in many varieties and many colors
    Dianthus caryophyllus; gillyflower; clove pink.
  2. noun a pink or reddish-pink color
  3. adjective satellite pink or pinkish

WordNet

Car*na"tion noun
Etymology
F. carnation the flesh tints in a painting, It carnagione, fr. L. carnatio fleshiness, fr. caro, carnis, flesh. See Carnal.
Definitions
  1. The natural color of flesh; rosy pink.
    Her complexion of the delicate carnation. Ld. Lytton.
  2. pl. (Paint.) Those parts of a picture in which the human body or any part of it is represented in full color; the flesh tints.
    The flesh tints in painting are termed carnations. Fairholt.
  3. (Bot.) A species of Dianthus (D. Caryophyllus) or pink, having very beautiful flowers of various colors, esp. white and usually a rich, spicy scent.

Webster 1913