frankincense Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an aromatic gum resin obtained from various Arabian or East African trees; formerly valued for worship and for embalming and fumigation
    gum olibanum; thus; olibanum.

WordNet

Frank"in*cense noun
Etymology
OF. franc free, pure + encens incense.
Definitions
  1. A fragrant, aromatic resin, or gum resin, burned as an incense in religious rites or for medicinal fumigation. The best kinds now come from East Indian trees, of the genus Boswellia; a commoner sort, from the Norway spruce (Abies excelsa) and other coniferous trees. The frankincense of the ancient Jews is still unidentified.

Webster 1913