/kahr nay"sheuhn/ , n.
1. any of numerous cultivated varieties of the clove pink, Dianthus caryophyllus, having long-stalked, fragrant, usually double flowers in a variety of colors: the state flower of Ohio.
2. pink; light red.
3. Obs. the color of flesh.
adj.
4. having the color carnation.
[ 1525-35; carnation- (s. of carnatio ) fleshlikeness, hence flesh-color, equiv. to L carn- (s. of caro ) flesh + -ation- -ATION ]