Meanings
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1
noun
A substance that gives off a sweet smell when it is burned.
The temple was filled with the smell of burning incense.
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2
verb
To make someone extremely angry.
The unfair decision incensed the whole team.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Word family
Forms
incensedincensesincensing
Derived forms
incensationincenselessincensementincenserincensiveincensoleincensorincensoryincensyreincense
Related forms
frankincense
Etymology
From Middle English encens, from Old French encens (“sweet-smelling substance”) from Late Latin incensum (“burnt incense”, literally “something burnt”), neuter past participle of incendō (“to set on fire”). Compare incendiary. Doublet of incienso.
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