Dictionary entry

Carnation

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Car‐na″tion (?), n. [F. carnation the flesh tints in a painting, It carnagione, fr. L. carnatio fleshiness, fr. caro, carnis, flesh. See Carnal.] 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.