cense

[ sens ]

verb (used with object)

, censed, censing.

1. to burn incense near or in front of; perfume with incense.

cense

/ sɛns /

verb

1. tr to burn incense near or before (an altar, shrine, etc)

Word History and Origins

Origin of cense¹

1300–50; Middle English, aphetic variant of incense ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cense¹

C14: from Old French encenser; see incense ¹

Example Sentences

Sometimes a nuncio would pounce on a cardinal and cense him all over.

From Literature

The pontiff censes the altar and a statue of the Virgin Mary, and asks the congregation to confess their sins.

From The Guardian

Father Dorward never got through with censing the altar, you bad boy.”

From Project Gutenberg

Censer is apparently the name applied to one who pays a cense or cess.

From Project Gutenberg

Then follows the censing and wiping of the altar as in the Sarum order.

From Project Gutenberg