Carnation
/kɑːrˈneɪ.ʃən/noun
A flowering plant with fragrant, often pink or red blossoms, or its flower.
Did you know?Carnation comes through French from Latin *carnatio*, meaning “fleshiness” or “fleshy condition,” from *caro* “flesh,” originally referring to the flower’s pinkish, flesh-like color.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sker- / *ker-
“A proposed ancient root behind Latin words for flesh and meat, though the exact pre-Latin history is debated.”
Latin
Latin
caro, carnis
“Flesh; meat.”
Late Latin
Latin
carnātiō
“Fleshiness; the state of being fleshy.”
Old French
Old French
carnation
“A flesh-colored tint; later, the flower name.”
Middle English
English
carnation
“A flesh-colored hue, then the flower.”
Modern English
English
carnation
“The familiar fragrant flower, especially of the genus Dianthus.”