incense

[ in-sens ]

/ ˈɪn sɛns /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR incense ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

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

any pleasant perfume or fragrance.

homage or adulation.

verb (used with object), in·censed, in·cens·ing.

to perfume with incense.

to burn incense for.

verb (used without object), in·censed, in·cens·ing.

to burn or offer incense.

Nearby words

incaution, incautious, ince, incendiarism, incendiary, incense, incense cedar, incense tree, incensory, incenter, incentive

Origin of incense

1250–1300; Middle English < Late Latin incēnsum, literally, something kindled, neuter of incēnsus (past participle of incendere to set on fire), equivalent to incend- (see incendiary) + -tus past participle suffix; replacing Middle English ansens, ensenz < Old French < Late Latin as above

Definition for incense (2 of 2)

incense

[ in-sens ]

/ ɪnˈsɛns /

verb (used with object), in·censed, in·cens·ing.

to inflame with wrath; make angry; enrage.

Origin of incense

1400–50; late Middle English incensen < Latin incēnsus (see incense¹); replacing Middle English encensen < Anglo-French < Latin, as above

SYNONYMS FOR incense

anger, exasperate, provoke, irritate. See enrage.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR incense ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

in·cense·ment, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for incense

Frankincense is a kind of incense, which is to say room freshener.
Keep Christmas Commercialized!|P. J. O’Rourke|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I could smell the patchouli oil he was wearing as well as the incense that was burning in the studio.
When Gary Wright Met George Harrison: Dream Weaver, John and Yoko, and More|Gary Wright|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Every few days he would give me a fresh supply of incense he got directly from India, fragrances I had never before experienced.
When Gary Wright Met George Harrison: Dream Weaver, John and Yoko, and More|Gary Wright|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What was the material of the novice habit, what kind of incense did they inhale, what was on the plate at dinner.
Historical Fiction: A Conversation Between Bruce Holsinger and Nancy Bilyeau|Nancy Bilyeau, Bruce Holsinger|March 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Candles, seashells, incense and a miniature Buddha were among the offerings left on the makeshift altar at the base of the tree.
A Tale of Two Trees|Michael Daly|November 5, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The magician became silent, the incense was condensed and assumed a reddish tint which gradually became more and more diffused.
The Magic of the Middle Ages|Viktor Rydberg
The smell of the soil sweetened musty law books, deodorized the doctor's den, and floated as incense above the church altars.
Chapters in Rural Progress|Kenyon L. Butterfield
The dark sanctuaries softened their silhouettes and the smoke of incense twisted its curls above their heads.
Two banks of the Seine|Fernand Vandrem
He then lighted his incense, sprinkled the holy water, and lighted the holy candles.
The Folk-Tales of the Magyars|Various
The little box of incense lay at the back of the drawer where Hortense had expected to find it.
The Cat in Grandfather's House|Carl Henry Grabo

British Dictionary definitions for incense (1 of 2)

incense

/ (ˈɪnsɛns) /

noun

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

the odour or smoke so produced

any pleasant fragrant odour; aroma

rare homage or adulation

verb

to burn incense in honour of (a deity)

(tr) to perfume or fumigate with incense

Derived Forms

incensation, noun

Word Origin for incense

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

British Dictionary definitions for incense (2 of 2)

incense

/ (ɪnˈsɛns) /

verb

(tr) to enrage greatly

Derived Forms

incensement, noun

Word Origin for incense

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

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