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.
2.
pink; light red.
3.
Obsolete. the color of flesh.
adjective
4.
having the color carnation.
Origin: 1525–35; < Late Latincarnātiōn- (stem of carnātiō) fleshlikeness, hence flesh-color, equivalent to Latincarn- (stem of carō) flesh + -ātiōn--ation
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
2.
the flower of this plant
3.
a. a pink or reddish-pink colour
b. (as adjective): a carnation dress
4.
(often plural) a flesh tint in painting
[C16: from French: flesh colour, from Late Latin carnātiō fleshiness, from Latin carō flesh]
1538, either a corruption of coronation (q.v.) from the flower's being used in chaplets or from the toothed crown-like look of the petals; or for its pinkness from M.Fr. carnation "person's color or complexion," probably from It. carnagione "flesh color," from L.L. carnationem
(nom. carnatio) "fleshiness," from L. caro "flesh."