Variable colour names derived from things

Question

Here are the only exceptions to this rule, meaning that they do need agreement:- écarlate (scarlet)- fauve (fawn/tan)- incarnat (rosy pink)- mauve (mauve)- pourpre (crimson)- rose (pink) of course !I see the origins of fauve (a fawn), mauve (a mallow) and rose (the flower) - but what are the things that écarlate, incarnat and pourpre are named after? Aren't these last three just standard  colour names?

Maarten Kamp · Answer

Matthew,

the origins may be quite ancient !

A search on etymology of the 3 words suggests possible links to ‘ real ‘ things the colour descriptions derive from :

incarnat - flesh

pourpre - a shellfish ( from which purple dye was made )

écarlate - a cloth/fabric of ancient times

As they are variable and take agreement with the described noun in keeping with the majority of simple French colour adjectives, knowing whether they are derived from ‘ real ‘ things or not isn’t of any great significance. However, their classification in the lesson does appear to be correct.