Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CAR-NA'TION, n. [Fr. carnation, the naked part of a picture, flesh color; It. incarnatino; carnagione, complexion; Sp. carnaza; Port. carnaz, from L. caro, flesh.]

1. Flesh color; the parts of a picture which are naked or without drapery, exhibiting the natural color of the flesh. – Encyc.
2. The popular name of a species of the genus of plants called Dianthus, so named from the color of the flower.