carnation
UK[kɑːˈneɪʃn]US[kɑːrˈneɪʃn]
n
A type of plant with sweet-smelling white, pink, or red flowers.
n
A pink or pale red colour.
Morpheme Breakdown
carn
ation
carn
flesh
ation
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'carnation' has a surprisingly chromatic origin rooted in the Latin word for flesh. It entered English in the early 16th century, originally referring to the color of human skin, a pale pink or flesh hue. This meaning derived directly from the Latin carnatio, meaning "fleshiness" or "incarnation". The term was later applied to the familiar flower, likely because early cultivated varieties were predominantly of this flesh-pink color. Thus, the modern abstract meanings for both the color and the flower blossom logically from the ancient, concrete concept of flesh.
Analysis
Structure: carn (flesh) + ation (noun suffix)
- carn: From Latin carn-, caro, meaning "flesh".
- ation: A noun-forming suffix of Latin origin, indicating an action, process, or result.
Examples
She wore a single white carnation in her buttonhole.
The walls were painted a soft shade of carnation.
Carnations are often used in bouquets for Mother's Day.