noun
- any of various substances, as gums or resins, producing a pleasant odor when burned: used in some religious ceremonies
- the smoke or fragrance from such a substance
- any pleasant odor
- pleasing attention, praise, or admiration
Origin:
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, incensing
- to make fragrant with or as with incense; perfume
- to burn or offer incense to