pink (1) definition - Dictionary

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pink (1)

pink [ pingk ]

noun (plural pinks)

Definition:

1. pale reddish color: a pale reddish color that, as a pigment, is formed by mixing red and white

2. plant with fragrant flowers: a plant with narrow grayish green leaves. Flowers: fragrant, especially pink, white, or red. Genus Dianthus.

3. fragrant flower: the fragrant pink, white, or red flower of a pink plant

4. plant similar to true pink: a plant that is similar but not related to the pink, e.g. the wild pink or moss pink

5. highest form: the highest degree or perfect example of something

the pink of perfection

6. red hunting jacket: the scarlet riding coat traditionally worn by fox hunters

7. politics
Same as pinko

plural noun pinks

Definition:

U.S. officers' trousers: light colored dress trousers formerly worn by United States Army officers

adjective (comparative pink·er, superlative pink·est)

Definition:

1. colored pink: of the color pink

2. slightly left-wing: relating to or holding political views that tend toward the left ( informal disapproving )

[Late 16th century. Origin ?]

pink·ish adjective

pink·ness noun

in the pink in excellent physical health (informal dated)

Word History


	The Dutch phrase pinck oogen meant literally "small eyes." It was adopted into English in the partially translated form pink eyes, which may have been used as the name of a plant of the genus Dianthus. The abbreviated form pink emerged as a plant name in the 16C. Many of these plants have pale red flowers, and by the 18C pink was being used as a color term.