1. (Science: botany) A name given to several plants of the caryophyllaceous genus dianthus, and to their flowers, which are sometimes very fragrant and often double in cultivated varieties. The species are mostly perennial herbs, with opposite linear leaves, and handsome five-petaled flowers with a tubular calyx.
4. (Science: zoology) The European minnow; so called from the colour of its abdomen in summer. Bunch pink is dianthus barbatus. China, or indian, pink. See China. Clove pink is Dianthus caryophyllus, the stock from which carnations are derived. Garden pink. See Pheasant's eye. Meadow pink is applied to Dianthus deltoides; also, to the ragged robin. Maiden pink, Dianthus deltoides. Moss pink. See moss. Pink needle, the pin grass; so called from the long, tapering points of the carpels. See alfilaria. Sea pink. See thrift.
Origin: Perh. Akin to pick; as if the edges of the petals were picked out. Cf. Pink.
(Science: medicine) Pink eye, the double chlorides of (stannic) tin and ammonium, formerly much used as a mordant for madder and cochineal. Pink saucer, a small saucer, the inner surface of which is covered with a pink pigment.