incense

¹

[in-sens]

noun

1. an aromatic gum or other substance producing a sweet odor when burned, used in religious ceremonies, to enhance a mood, etc.

2. the perfume or smoke arising from such a substance when burned.

3. any pleasant perfume or fragrance.

4. homage or adulation.

verb (used with object)

incensed, incensing 

1. to perfume with incense.

2. to burn incense for.

verb (used without object)

incensed, incensing 

1. to burn or offer incense.

incense

²

[in-sens]

verb (used with object)

incensed, incensing 

1. to inflame with wrath; make angry; enrage.

   Synonyms: irritate, provoke, exasperate, anger

incense

¹

/ ˈɪnsɛns /

noun

1. any of various aromatic substances burnt for their fragrant odour, esp in religious ceremonies

2. the odour or smoke so produced

3. any pleasant fragrant odour; aroma

4. rare,  homage or adulation

verb

1. to burn incense in honour of (a deity)

2. (tr) to perfume or fumigate with incense

incense

²

/ ɪnˈsɛns /

verb

1. (tr) to enrage greatly

Other Word Forms

• incensement noun
• incensation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of incense¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English encens, incens, from Old French encens, from Late Latin incēnsum, literally, “something kindled,” neuter of incēnsus (past participle of incendere “to set on fire”); incendiary

Origin of incense²

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English incensen, ensensen “to fumigate, burn incense,” from Old French encenser, from Latin incēnsus; incense ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of incense¹

C13: from Old French encens, from Church Latin incensum, from Latin incendere to kindle

Origin of incense²

C15: from Latin incensus set on fire, from incendere to kindle

Synonym Study

See enrage.

Example Sentences

According to the statements, he applied the liquid to her body and when she complained that it smelled like acid, he set her on fire with an incense stick.

From BBC

Bowen was the player who went closest to the away supporters to applaud them but then became incensed.

From BBC

As I walked into the house for the first time, incense and woodsy aromas filled the open space.

From Los Angeles Times

At a recent auction of “The David Lynch Collection,” the director’s espresso machine sold for $45,500, his director’s chair for $95,000, and an incense holder he made himself in 1974 for $52,000.

From Los Angeles Times

The name refers to an elevated state of mind, expressed through creamy top notes of coconut with jasmine petals, incense and a woody base.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anger 
• bother 
• disgust 
• enrage 
• exasperate 
• excite 
• fire up 
• inflame 
• infuriate 
• irritate 
• rile