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)
5.
to perfume with incense.
6.
to burn incense for.
–verb (used without object)
7.
to burn or offer incense.
[Origin: 1250–1300; ME < LL incénsum, lit., something kindled, neut. of incénsus (ptp. of incendere to set on fire), equiv. to incend- (see incendiary) + -tus ptp. suffix; r. ME ansens, ensenz < OF < LL as above]
in·cense 1Audio Help (ĭn-sěns') Pronunciation Key
tr.v.
in·censed, in·cens·ing, in·cens·es
To cause to be extremely angry; infuriate.
[Middle English encensen, from Old French incenser, from Late Latin incēnsāre, to sacrifice, burn, from Latin incēnsus, past participle of incendere, to set on fire; see kand- in Indo-European roots.]
An aromatic substance, such as wood or a gum, that is burned to produce a pleasant odor.
The smoke or odor produced by the burning of such a substance.
A pleasant smell.
Flattering or fawning attention; homage.
tr.v.
in·censed, in·cens·ing, in·cens·es
To perfume with incense.
To burn incense to, as a ritual offering.
[Middle English encens, from Old French, from Latin incēnsum, from neuter past participle of incendere, to set on fire; see kand- in Indo-European roots.]
c.1290, from O.Fr. encens "sweet-smelling substance," from L.L. incensum (nom. incensus) "burnt incense," lit. "something burnt," neut. pp. of L. incendere "set on fire," from in- "in" + *candere "to set alight" (see incendiary).
"make angry," 1435, from M.Fr. incenser, from L. incensare, freq. of L. incendere "set on fire" (see incense (n.)). A figurative use of the word used literally in incense (n.).
Can*did\ (k[a^]n"d[i^]d), a. [F. candide (cf. It. candido), L. candidus white, fr. cand[=e]re to be of a glowing white; akin to accend[e^]re, incend[e^]re, to set on fire, Skr. chand to shine. Cf. Candle, Incense.]1. White. [Obs.] The box receives all black; but poured from thence, The stones came candid forth, the hue of innocence. --Dryden. 2. Free from undue bias; disposed to think and judge according to truth and justice, or without partiality or prejudice; fair; just; impartial; as, a candid opinion. "Candid and dispassionate men." --W. Irving. 3. Open; frank; ingenuous; outspoken. Syn: Fair; open; ingenuous; impartial; just; frank; artless; unbiased; equitable. Usage: Candid, Fair, Open, Frank, Ingenuous. A man is fair when he puts things on a just or equitable footing; he is candid when be looks impartially on both sides of a subject, doing justice especially to the motives and conduct of an opponent; he is open and frank when he declares his sentiments without reserve; he is ingenuous when he does this from a noble regard for truth. Fair dealing; candid investigation; an open temper; a frank disposition; an ingenuous answer or declaration.
Cen"ser\, n. [For incenser, fr. OF. encensier, F. encensoir, fr. LL. incensarium, incensorium, fr. L. incensum incense. See Incense, and cf. Incensory.] A vessel for perfumes; esp. one in which incense is burned. Note: The ecclesiastical censer is usually cup-shaped, has a cover pierced with holes, and is hung by chains. The censer bearer swings it to quicken the combustion. Her thoughts are like the fume of frankincense Which from a golden censer forth doth rise. --Spenser.
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Audio Help [in-sens] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, -censed, -cens·ing. 
