'carnation-perfumed' is a compound formed from 'carnation' and 'perfumed'. 'carnation' ultimately originates from Late Latin, specifically the word 'carnationem' (from Latin 'caro, carnis'), where 'caro'/'carnis' meant 'flesh' (originally referring to a flesh-colored flower). 'perfume' originates from Latin, specifically the phrase 'per fumum', where 'per' meant 'through' and 'fumum' meant 'smoke'.

'carnation' passed into English via Medieval/Late Latin and Old French forms (e.g. Medieval Latin 'carnationem') and became the modern English 'carnation'. 'perfume' came into English from Old French 'parfum' (from Latin 'per fumum') and became 'perfume' in Middle/Modern English; the hyphenated compound 'carnation-perfumed' is a modern English descriptive formation.

Initially, 'carnation' referred to a flesh-colored tone or the flower itself, and 'perfume' originally referred to a scent produced often by smoke; over time 'perfume' came to mean any pleasing scent, and the compound 'carnation-perfumed' now simply means 'having the fragrance of carnations'.