incense

plural incenses

1. countableuncountableBiotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt, often used in religious rites or for aesthetic reasons.
2. countableuncountableThe fragrant smoke released by burning incense (sense 1).

   1 more example

   When the folding-doors were on such solemn occasions thrown open, and the new Abbot appeared on the threshold in full-blown dignity, with ring and mitre, and dalmatique and crosier, his hoary standard-bearers and his juvenile dispensers of incense preceding him, and the venerable train of monks behind him, with all besides which could announce the supreme authority to which he was now raised, his appearance was a signal for the magnificent jubilate to rise from the organ and music-loft, and to be joined by the corresponding bursts of Alleluiah from the whole assembled congregation.

   1820, [Walter Scott], chapter XIII, in The Abbot. […], volume I, Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne & Co.] for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, […]; and for Archibald Constable and Company, and John Ballantyne, […], →OCLC, page 281

3. countablefigurativelyuncountableHomage; adulation.

present singular third person incenses · participle present incensing · participle past incensed · past incensed

1. obsoletetransitiveTo set on fire; to inflame; to kindle; to burn.

   Twelve Trojan princes wait on thee, and labour to incense / Thy glorious heap of funeral.

   [1611?], Homer, “(please specify |book=I to XXIV)”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., The Iliads of Homer Prince of Poets. […], London: […] Nathaniell Butter, →OCLC; republished as The Iliads of Homer, Prince of Poets, […], new edition, volume (please specify the book number), London: Charles Knight and Co., […], 1843, →OCLC

   Synonyms: inflame, aflame, alight, conflagrate, fire, fire up, ignite, inflame

2. transitiveTo anger; to infuriate.

   I think it would incense him to learn the truth.

   2 more examples

   His Grace the Duke of Wellington was incensed greatly, and as badge of dishonor ordered that a strip of cherry colored ribbon be sewed on their trowser seams.

   1909 December 1, “‘Traditions’”, in Fresno Herald and Democrat, last edition, volume XLI, number 1008, Fresno, Calif., →OCLC, page 4, column 2

   Few political careers start when people are in their 70s, but Hendy is actually relishing it, although he is incensed sometimes by the pointlessness of the posturing by the opposition, which keeps him up late. "The bit I don't like is getting home at 0100 or 0200 in the morning because the opposition have been fruitlessly arguing for a long time."

   2025 October 1, Christian Wolmar, “Rail Minister at the heart of rail reform”, in RAIL, number 1045, page 35

   Synonyms: inflame, affront, aggravate, anger, antagonize, awrath, burn up, cheese off

3. archaictransitiveTo incite; to stimulate.

   Synonyms: provoke, abet, actuate, goose, fuel, light a fire under, send, sting

4. transitiveTo offer incense to.

   1 more example

   And after this Almachius hastily Bad his ministres fecchen openly Cecile, so that she mighte in his presence Doon sacrifyce, and Iupiter encense. And after this, Almachius hastily Ordered his ministers to fetch publicly Cecile, so that she might in his presence Do sacrifice and burn incense to Jupiter.

   late 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer, The Second Nun's Tale, The Canterbury Tales, line 410-413

   Synonyms: fume

5. transitiveTo perfume with, or as with, incense.

   The priests solemnly incensed the girl who personated the goddess.

   1911, James George Frazer, The Golden Bough, volume 9, page 294

   2 more examples

   To haue her bound, incenſed with wanton ſweetes, / Her vaines fild hie with heating delicates, / […] / O Ithaca can chaſteſt Penelope hold out.

   c. 1603 (date written), Iohn Marston, The Malcontent, London: […] V[alentine] S[immes] for William Aspley, […], published 1604, →OCLC, Act III, scene ii

   Neither, for the future, shall any man or woman, self-styled noble, be incensed,—foolishly fumigated with incense, in Church; as the wont has been.

   1837, Thomas Carlyle, The French Revolution: A History […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: Chapman and Hall, →OCLC, (please specify the book or page number)

   Synonyms: fume, musk, cense, aromatize, odorize, scent