carnation

Definitions

From Latin carnātiō, 'fleshiness, flesh-color' (carn = flesh). The flower is thought to be named for its flesh-pink petals — carn here points to the color of flesh, not to meat. So a carnation is, etymologically, 'the flesh-colored flower.'

Why It Means This

Carnation is the family's gentlest twist on 'flesh.' The flower most likely got its name from carnātiō, 'flesh-colored,' after the soft pink of its petals — the same flesh sense seen in 'carnal,' but applied to a hue rather than the body or appetite. (An older folk story links it instead to 'coronation,' from flower garlands, but the flesh-color route is the usual explanation.)

Common Collocations

• 1.pink carnation粉色康乃馨
• 2.red carnation红色康乃馨
• 3.white carnation白色康乃馨
• 4.bunch of carnations一束康乃馨

Example Sentences

• 1.

  She pinned a single white carnation to his lapel.

• 2.

  On Mother's Day, red carnations sell out by noon.