incense¹

B2 Topic:Materials & Substances

US /ˈɪnsɛn(t)s/ UK /ˈɪnsɛn(t)s/ See IPA manual

noun

Audio for this pronunciation isn’t available yet.

Homographs: incense² /ɪnˈsɛns/ — verb

Pronunciation and word origins: Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Freq #13161

Meanings

1

noun
A substance that gives off a sweet smell when it is burned.

The temple was filled with the smell of burning incense.

Thesaurus

Word family

Forms incensedincensesincensing

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

incense tree
A tree that produces fragrant resin used in incense.

Noun + noun

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. Displaced native Old English rēcels.

Topics

Materials & Substances

External links

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