frankincense
[frang-kin-sens]
- 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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Origin of frankincense
Also called olibanum.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for frankincense
Contemporary Examples
Same with the Three Kings and their gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Frankincense is a kind of incense, which is to say room freshener.
Casper, Melchior, and Balthazar “presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”
Historical Examples
The tree was the frankincense, or loblolly pine (Pinus toeda).
The QuadroonMayne Reid
Finally, the Arabians brought a thousand talents of frankincense every year.
The History Of HerodotusHerodotus
The air was cloudy with the breath of frankincense and myrrh.
Fairy BookSophie May
I must lay my treasures at His feet, “gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”
My Daily Meditation for the Circling YearJohn Henry Jowett
Opening their treasures they presented to him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The Children's BibleHenry A. Sherman
frankincense
- an aromatic gum resin obtained from trees of the burseraceous genus Boswellia, which occur in Asia and AfricaAlso called: olibanum
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for frankincense
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper