Carnation \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)