incense

Meanings

Noun

• A perfume used in the rites of various religions.
• Homage; adulation.

Verb

• To anger or infuriate.
• To incite, stimulate.
• To offer incense to.
• To perfume with, or as with, incense.
• To set on fire; to inflame; to kindle; to burn.

Related

Narrower meaning words

• joss stick, incense stick

Origin

• From Middle English encens, from Old French encens ("sweet-smelling substance") from Late Latin incensum ("burnt incense"), neuter past participle of incendō. Compare incendiary. Cognate with Spanish encender and incienso.