CARNATION • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Carnation

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/kɑrnˈeɪʃən/ Listen

noun

Carnation n.

The natural color of flesh; rosy pink. "Her complexion of the delicate carnation."

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."

(Bot.) A species of Dianthus (Dianthus Caryophyllus) or pink, having very beautiful flowers of various colors, esp. white and usually a rich, spicy scent.

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Etymology of 'Carnation'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Carnation" Quotes from Famous Books

... Mandane, who could have disputed a heart with her[185] without the risk of losing. This Princess was mounted on a fine black horse, trapped with gold; her dress was of cloth of gold, with green panels shot with a little carnation, and was of the shape of that of Pallas when she is represented as armed. The skirt was caught up on the hip with diamond clasps, and showed buskins of lions' muzzles made to correspond with the rest. Her head-dress was ...

— A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1 - From the Beginning to 1800 • George Saintsbury

... her arm from mine and curtsied to him profoundly; then stood erect, indignant and defiant, her eyes angry stars, her cheeks carnation, scorn on her ...

— To Have and To Hold • Mary Johnston

... marble "desk" stood several impeccable clerks, and to one of these I addressed myself, giving our names and mentioning the fact that we had telegraphed for rooms. I am not sure that this young man wore a braided cutaway and a white carnation; I only know that he affected me as hotel clerks in braided cutaways and white carnations always do. While I spoke he stood a little way back from the counter, his chin up, his gaze barely missing the top of my hat, ...

— American Adventures - A Second Trip 'Abroad at home' • Julian Street

... fidelity. Like his mother he looked round with wistful irritation at the example afforded by contemporary youth, but he concentrated his attention exclusively on the richer circles of his acquaintance, young men who bought cars and polo ponies as unconcernedly as he might purchase a carnation for his buttonhole, and went for trips to Cairo or the Tigris valley with less difficulty and finance-stretching than he encountered in contriving a ...

— The Unbearable Bassington • Saki

... men of Greece and Rome alert, vigilant, penetrating, before luxury and oppression had dragged them down to ruin and ignorance; and at last Ambition, splendid but destructive, becoming the world's artist, blended the midnight tints of decline and suffering with the carnation of triumph and liberty, and cast over the pictures of History the Rembrandt-like shadows, heavy and wavering, that add a fearful intensity ...

— Continental Monthly - Volume 1 - Issue 3 • Various

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