What does "carnation" mean?

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. Fairholt.

Additional senses

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

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