cense

American  

[sens] / sɛns /

verb (used with object)

censed, censing

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

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cense British  

/ sɛns /

verb

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

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Etymology

Origin of cense

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

Example Sentences

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

The priest merely places the Sacrament on the altar, censes it, elevates and breaks the host, and communicates, the prayers and responses interspersed being peculiar to the day.

From Project Gutenberg