incense

¹

[ in-sens ]

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.

verb (used with object)

, in·censed, in·cens·ing.

1. to perfume with incense.
2. to burn incense for.

verb (used without object)

, in·censed, in·cens·ing.

1. to burn or offer incense.

incense

²

[ in-sens ]

verb (used with object)

, in·censed, in·cens·ing.

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

   Synonyms: irritate, provoke, exasperate, anger

incense

¹

/ 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

verb

1. to burn incense in honour of (a deity)
2. tr to perfume or fumigate with incense

incense

²

/ ɪnˈsɛns /

verb

1. tr to enrage greatly

Derived Forms

• ˌincenˈsation, noun
• inˈcensement, noun

Other Words From

• in·cense·ment noun

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of incense¹

C13: from Old French encens, from Church Latin incensum, from Latin incendere to kindle

Origin of incense²

C15: from Latin incensus set on fire, from incendere to kindle

Synonym Study

See enrage.

Example Sentences

Springfield lights incense as the friends banter casually.

From Los Angeles Times

Rangers fans were almost as incensed at his words as they were at the misdeeds of their players.

From BBC

Laura Banuet, a former cashier at LAX, was incensed by the Supreme Court’s decision to end federal protection of abortion access.

From Los Angeles Times

Woodhouse said Republicans across western North Carolina were even more motivated to vote after the storm, incensed by what they perceived as a slow federal response.

From Los Angeles Times

“When he died, I had the rug pulled out from under me,” she says in a soft-spoken tone as she gently molds a ball holder for an incense stick.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aroma
• odor
• perfume
• scent