incense Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a substance that produces a fragrant odor when burned
  2. noun the pleasing scent produced when incense is burned
    • incense filled the room
  3. verb perfume especially with a censer
    thurify; cense.
  4. verb make furious
    infuriate; exasperate.

WordNet

In*cense" transitive verb
Etymology
L. incensus, p. p. of incendere; pref. in- in + root of candere to glow. See Candle.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Incensed ; present participle & verbal noun Incensing
Definitions
  1. To set on fire; to inflame; to kindle; to burn. Obs.
    Twelve Trojan princes wait on thee, and labor to incense Thy glorious heap of funeral. Chapman.
  2. To inflame with anger; to endkindle; to fire; to incite; to provoke; to heat; to madden.
    The people are incensed him. Shak.
    Syn. -- To enrage; exasperate; provoke; anger; irritate; heat; fire; instigate.
In"cense transitive verb
Etymology
LL. incensare: cf. F. encenser. See Incense, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Incensed ; present participle & verbal noun Incensing
Definitions
  1. To offer incense to. See Incense. Obs. Chaucer.
  2. To perfume with, or as with, incense. "Incensed with wanton sweets." Marston.
In"cense noun
Etymology
OE. encens, F. encens, L. incensum, fr. incensus, p. p. of incendere to burn. See Incense to inflame.
Definitions
  1. The perfume or odors exhaled from spices and gums when burned in celebrating religious rites or as an offering to some deity.
    A thick of incense went up. Ezek. viii. 11.
  2. The materials used for the purpose of producing a perfume when burned, as fragrant gums, spices, frankincense, etc.
    Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon. Lev. x. 1.
  3. Also used figuratively.
    Or heap the shrine of luxury and pride, With incense kindled at the Muse's flame. Gray.

Webster 1913