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

See Examples For:

joss stick

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

Then he looked again, Olivia placed the still fizzling joss stick in the fender, and peered over his shoulder.

From The Mandarin's Fan by Fergus Hume

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 Louis Tracy

So Harry stood waiting while the joss stick throwing went merrily on.

From The Bradys After a Chinese Princess The Yellow Fiends of 'Frisco by Francis Worcester Doughty

Got some signal, you bet!" said the driver; "some yeller paper or piece o' joss stick in the road.

From From Sand Hill to Pine by Bret Harte