incense
pronunciation
How to pronounce incense in British English:
UK [ˈɪnsens , ɪnˈsens]
How to pronounce incense in American English:
US [ˈɪnsens , ɪnˈsens]
-
- Noun:
- a substance that produces a fragrant odor when burned
- the pleasing scent produced when incense is burned
-
- Verb:
- perfume especially with a censer
- make furious
Word Origin
- incense
- incense: English has two distinct words incense, but both come ultimately from the same source. The noun, ‘aromatic burnt substance’ [13], comes via Old French encens from late Latin incensum, a noun use of the verb incendere ‘set fire to’ (source of English incendiary [17]). This in turn was formed from a derivative of candēre ‘glow’ (source of English candle). (From encens was derived Old French censier, which passed into English via Anglo-Norman as censer [13].) Besides the literal ‘set fire to’, incendere was used figuratively for ‘enrage’, which English acquired as the verb incense [15] via Old French.=> censer, incendiary
- incense (n.)
- late 13c., from Old French encens "sweet-smelling substance," from Late Latin incensum (nominative incensus) "burnt incense," literally "something burnt," neuter past participle of Latin incendere "set on fire" (see incendiary).
- incense (v.1)
- "make angry," early 15c., from Middle French incenser, from Latin incensare, frequentative of Latin incendere "set on fire" (see incendiary). A figurative use of the word used literally in incense (n.). Related: Incensed.
- incense (v.2)
- "to offer incense, perfume with incense," c. 1300, from Old French encenser, from encens (see incense (n.)).
Example
- 1. Medieval europeans combated them with incense .
- 2. I come back home and light some candles and incense for meditation .
- 3. Next , morris pours out a sample of the incense .
- 4. Such a visit would incense japan 's neighbours .
- 5. Figurines depicting the god of wealth sit outside most doors , attended by burning sticks of incense .