carnation
[ kahr-ney-shuh n ]
/ kɑrˈneɪ ʃən /
noun
any of numerous cultivated varieties of the clove pink, Dianthus caryophyllus, having long-stalked, fragrant, usually double flowers in a variety of colors: the state flower of Ohio.
pink; light red.
Obsolete.
the color of flesh.
adjective
having the color carnation.
Origin of carnation
1525–35; < Late Latin
carnātiōn- (stem of
carnātiō) fleshlikeness, hence flesh-color, equivalent to Latin
carn- (stem of
carō) flesh +
-ātiōn-
-ation
Words nearby carnation
carnap,
carnaroli,
carnarvon,
carnassial,
carnatic,
carnation,
carnauba,
carneades,
carnegie,
carnegie hall,
carnegie unit
Example sentences from the Web for carnation
British Dictionary definitions for carnation
carnation
/ (kɑːˈneɪʃən) /
noun
Also called: clove pink
a Eurasian caryophyllaceous plant, Dianthus caryophyllus, cultivated in many varieties for its white, pink, or red flowers, which have a fragrant scent of cloves
the flower of this plant
- a pink or reddish-pink colour
- (as adjective)a carnation dress
(often plural)
a flesh tint in painting
Word Origin for carnation
C16: from French: flesh colour, from Late Latin
carnātiō fleshiness, from Latin
carō flesh