Chapter Pinfeathered to Pintail of P by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

Pink
(Pink), n. [Perh. akin to pick; as if the edges of the petals were picked out. Cf. Pink, v. t.]

1. (Bot.) 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.

2. A color resulting from the combination of a pure vivid red with more or less white; — so called from the common color of the flower. Dryden.

3. Anything supremely excellent; the embodiment or perfection of something. "The very pink of courtesy." Shak.

4. (Zoöl.) The European minnow; — so called from the color of its abdomen in summer. [Prov. Eng.]

Bunch pink is Dianthus barbatus. — China, or Indian, pink. See under 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 under Moss. — Pink needle, the pin grass; — so called from the long, tapering points of the carpels. See Alfilaria. — Sea pink. See Thrift.

Pink
(Pink), a. Resembling the garden pink in color; of the color called pink (see 6th Pink, 2); as, a pink dress; pink ribbons.

Pink eye (Med.), a popular name for an epidemic variety of ophthalmia, associated with early and marked redness of the eyeball. — Pink salt (Chem. & Dyeing), 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.

Pinked
(Pinked) a. Pierced with small holes; worked in eyelets; scalloped on the edge. Shak.

Pink-eyed
(Pink"-eyed`) a. [Pink half- shut + eye.] Having small eyes. Holland.

Pinking
(Pink"ing), n.

1. The act of piercing or stabbing.

2. The act or method of decorating fabrics or garments with a pinking iron; also, the style of decoration; scallops made with a pinking iron.

Pinking iron. (a) An instrument for scalloping the edges of ribbons, flounces, etc. (b) A sword. [Colloq.]

Pinkish
(Pink"ish), a. Somewhat pink.

Pinkness
(Pink"ness) n. Quality or state of being pink.

Pinkroot
(Pink"root`) n.

1. (Med.) The root of Spigelia Marilandica, used as a powerful vermifuge; also, that of S. Anthelmia. See definition 2

2. (Bot.) (a) A perennial North American herb sometimes cultivated for its showy red blossoms. Called also Carolina pink, Maryland pinkroot, and worm grass. (b) An annual South American and West Indian plant