incense

¹

[in-sens]

noun

1. an aromatic gum or other substance producing a sweet odor when burned, used in religious ceremonies, to enhance a mood, etc.

2. the perfume or smoke arising from such a substance when burned.

3. any pleasant perfume or fragrance.

4. homage or adulation.

verb (used with object)

incensed, incensing 

1. to perfume with incense.

2. to burn incense for.

verb (used without object)

incensed, incensing 

1. to burn or offer incense.

incense

²

[in-sens]

verb (used with object)

incensed, incensing 

1. to inflame with wrath; make angry; enrage.

   Synonyms: irritate, provoke, exasperate, anger

incense

¹

/ ˈɪnsɛns /

noun

1. any of various aromatic substances burnt for their fragrant odour, esp in religious ceremonies

2. the odour or smoke so produced

3. any pleasant fragrant odour; aroma

4. rare,  homage or adulation

verb

1. to burn incense in honour of (a deity)

2. (tr) to perfume or fumigate with incense

incense

²

/ ɪnˈsɛns /

verb

1. (tr) to enrage greatly

Other Word Forms

• incensement noun
• incensation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of incense¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English encens, incens, from Old French encens, from Late Latin incēnsum, literally, “something kindled,” neuter of incēnsus (past participle of incendere “to set on fire”); incendiary

Origin of incense²

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English incensen, ensensen “to fumigate, burn incense,” from Old French encenser, from Latin incēnsus; incense ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of incense¹

C13: from Old French encens, from Church Latin incensum, from Latin incendere to kindle

Origin of incense²

C15: from Latin incensus set on fire, from incendere to kindle

Synonym Study

See enrage.

Example Sentences

Smudge pots of incense released plumes of scented smoke that drifted, wraithlike, along the floor.

Read more on Literature

It smells of incense inside and we light a candle.

Read more on Salon

Last year, contestants of MGI were incensed after having to sit on plastic chairs and eat peanuts on a tourist boat in Cambodia instead of a highly-anticipated luxury river cruise.

Read more on Barron's

A group of white political leaders incensed by the rise of assertive Native leaders in the “Red Power” era had embarked on a campaign to limit the reach of tribal governments.

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Some parents who lost their money said they were incensed to see her back on social media this summer, leading vegan cooking classes for kids at a summer camp in New Orleans.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• anger 
• bother 
• disgust 
• enrage 
• exasperate 
• excite 
• fire up 
• inflame 
• infuriate 
• irritate 
• rile