incense

¹ American  

[in-sens] / ˈɪn sɛns /

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.

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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 American  

[in-sens] / ɪnˈsɛns /

verb (used with object)

incensed, incensing

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

   Synonyms:

   irritate, provoke, exasperate, anger

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incense ¹ British  

/ 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

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verb

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

2. (tr) to perfume or fumigate with incense

incense ² British  

/ ɪnˈsɛns /

verb

1. (tr) to enrage greatly

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Related Words

See enrage.

Other Word Forms

• incensation noun
• incensement noun

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

It’s beat up and old, and smells like incense.

From The Wall Street Journal

“And maybe get some air freshener for G’s room. Or some incense?”

From Literature

Top Warner Bros. executives were incensed, feeling that the Ellisons had just shown up in Hollywood and now were throwing their weight around to take advantage of Warner Bros.’ struggles.

From Los Angeles Times

The family of one of the victims declined to speak publicly but are understood to have been "incensed" at the move.

From BBC

Those threats incense many in Mexico, where resentment lingers over past American invasions, including during the 1846 war, which ended with Mexico ceding more than half of its territory, including California, to the United States.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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