Etymology

Recorded since 1538, either (for its original color) from Medieval (=modern) French carnation "person's color or complexion" (probably from carnagione "flesh color," from Late carnatio "fleshiness", from Latin caro "flesh") or a corruption of coronation (from coronare 'to crown', from corona 'crown'; because of the flower's use in chaplets or from the toothed crown-like look of the petals.

Noun

1. A type of Eurasian plant widely cultivated for its flowers.
   1. originally Dianthus caryophyllus
   2. other members of genus Dianthus and hybrids
2. The type of flower they bear, originally flesh-coloured, but since hybridizing found in a variety of colours.
3. A rosy pink colour

4. The pinkish colors used in art to render human face and flesh
5. Sometimes, a scarlet colour.

Related terms

• carnal
• carnassial
• carnify
• carnival
• carnivore
• carnosity
• incarnadine
• incarnate