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incense1 definition

in·cense (in′sens′)

noun

  1. any of various substances, as gums or resins, producing a pleasant odor when burned: used in some religious ceremonies
  2. the smoke or fragrance from such a substance
  3. any pleasant odor
  4. pleasing attention, praise, or admiration

Etymology: ME encens < OFr < LL incensum, incense < neut. of L incensus, pp. of incendere, to kindle, inflame < in-, in, on + candere, to burn, shine: see candescent

transitive verb incensed -·censed′, incensing -·cens′·ing

  1. to make fragrant with or as with incense; perfume
  2. to burn or offer incense to

intransitive verb

to burn incense
incense2 definition

in·cense (in sens′)

transitive verb incensed -·censed′, incensing -·cens′·ing

to make very angry; fill with wrath; enrage

Etymology: ME encensen < OFr incenser < L incensus: see incense

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

incense Synonyms

incense

n.

scent, fragrance, fuel, punk, joss stick, flame, odor, frankincense, essence, burnt offering, aroma, redolence, sandalwood, myrrh; see also perfume.


incense

v.

enrage, infuriate, exasperate, provoke; see anger 1, bother 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

incense Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • burn: You first burn the incense then imagine the need you want.

Adjective modifier

  • fragrant: He clings with regret to the golden chalices and fragrant incense of Catholicism.

Preposition: on

  • altar: She places the wreaths and the incense on the altar.

Modifies a noun

  • burner: You needn't store incense burners away or hide them in a corner.

Noun used with modifier

  • burning: Before the priests there are basins of burning incense tended by the Tots.
incense usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

incense quotes

I sing the sweets I know, the charms I feel, My morning incense, and my evening meal, The sweets of Hasty-Pudding.Come, dear bowl, Glide o'er my palate, and inspire my soul.

-Barlow,Joel

Orchidöbreathing incense into butterfly's wings

-Basho, Matsuo

And then how I shall lie through centuries, And hear the blessed mutter of the mass, And see God made and eaten all day long, And feel the steady candle-flame, and taste Good strong thick stupefying incense-smoke!

-Browning, Robert

incense quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"incense." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/incense>

APA Style

incense. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/incense

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