joss stick

American  

noun

1. a slender stick of a dried, fragrant paste, burned by the Chinese as incense before a joss.

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joss stick British  

noun

1. a stick of dried perfumed paste, giving off a fragrant odour when burnt as incense

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Etymology

Origin of joss stick

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

At one end of the living room of a Formosan cottage, incense from a burning joss stick rose fragrantly before an image of Buddha.

From Time Magazine Archive

The joss stick fizzled and burned and gave out its queer smell, which made both slightly dizzy.

From The Mandarin's Fan by Hume, Fergus

The only peculiar thing, if I may so describe it, about the place, is the scent of a burnt joss stick.

From Number Seventeen by Tracy, Louis

Bates and I will take care that there isn't even a joss stick in the flat before we go to bed.

From Number Seventeen by Tracy, Louis

Hwei was here on the night poor Miss Wharf was killed, and dropped the joss stick.

From The Mandarin's Fan by Hume, Fergus