carnation Hear it!

carnation definition

car·na·tion (kär nā′s̸hən)

noun

    1. a popular garden and greenhouse plant (Dianthus caryophyllus) of the pink family, usually with white, pink, or red double flowers that smell like cloves
    2. the flower of this plant
  2. a flesh-colored tint formerly used in painting
  3. moderate to deep red

Etymology: MFr < L caro, flesh (see carnal), after OFr incarnation, incarnation; sense infl. by OIt carnagione, flesh-colored < carnaggio

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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