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)

, in·censed, in·cens·ing.

1. to perfume with incense.
2. to burn incense for.

verb (used without object)

, in·censed, in·cens·ing.

1. to burn or offer incense.

incense

²

[ in-sens ]

verb (used with object)

, in·censed, in·cens·ing.

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

   Synonyms: irritate, provoke, exasperate, anger

incense

¹

/ ɪnˈsɛns /

verb

1. tr to enrage greatly

incense

²

/ 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

Derived Forms

• inˈcensement, noun
• ˌincenˈsation, noun

Other Words From

• in·cense·ment 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

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

Origin of incense²

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

Synonym Study

See enrage.

Example Sentences

Bouquets of flowers crowded the tiled floor, and the smell of incense filled the air as a choir sang.

From Washington Post

Many on Twitter were incensed Friday by the Associated Press’ recent dismissal of a young news associate after conservative groups came after her for pro-Palestinian activism in college.

From Time

That incensed Musk, who pointed out that Blue Origin had yet to fly a rocket to orbit.

From Washington Post

While a Rimowa suitcase, a Nintendo Switch, Jo Malone incense or washable silk pajamas to lounge in can’t fully express your love and gratitude, they probably won’t hurt either.

From Time

I remember struggling with the dark robes, chanting, and incense when I first arrived at Tassajara.

From Nautilus

Frankincense is a kind of incense, which is to say room freshener.

From The Daily Beast

She would periodically show up at the house and stay in the attic, where she hung beads and burned incense.

From The Daily Beast

Thousands of years ago, Saudi Arabia fortuitously sat in the middle of the raging incense trade.

From The Daily Beast

The second part of the exhibition focuses on the network of roads built for the highly lucrative incense trade.

From The Daily Beast

I could smell the patchouli oil he was wearing as well as the incense that was burning in the studio.

From The Daily Beast

And thou tookest thy garments of divers colours, and coveredst them: and settest my oil and my sweet incense before them.

From Project Gutenberg

Thou sattest on a very fine bed, and a table was decked before thee: whereupon thou didst set my incense, and my ointment.

From Project Gutenberg

And they put incense upon the altar, and lighted up the lamps that were upon the candlestick, and they gave light in the temple.

From Project Gutenberg

The sun-kissed flowers plume the day with colour, and fling incense to the winds.

From Project Gutenberg

The repose is there, the angels also—dear commanding things—and a perpetual incense of cheap soap.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aroma
• odor
• perfume
• scent