frankincense

[ frang-kin-sens ]
/ ˈfræŋ kɪnˌsɛns /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR frankincense ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an aromatic gum resin from various Asian and African trees of the genus Boswellia, especially B. carteri, used chiefly for burning as incense in religious or ceremonial practices, in perfumery, and in pharmaceutical and fumigating preparations.

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Also called olibanum.

Origin of frankincense

First recorded in 1350–1400, frankincense is from the Middle English word fraunk encense. See frank1, incense1

Words nearby frankincense

frankfurt horizontal, frankfurt school, frankfurter, frankfurter, felix, frankie, frankincense, frankish, frankland, franklin, franklin d. roosevelt lake, franklin park
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to frankincense

odor, aroma, scent, perfume, balm, bouquet, essence, punk, redolence, flame, fuel, spice, myrrh

Example sentences from the Web for frankincense

British Dictionary definitions for frankincense

frankincense
/ (ˈfræŋkɪnˌsɛns) /

noun

an aromatic gum resin obtained from trees of the burseraceous genus Boswellia, which occur in Asia and AfricaAlso called: olibanum

Word Origin for frankincense

C14: from Old French franc free, pure + encens incense 1; see frank
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012