I. ˈinˌsen(t)s sometimes -_sən- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English encens, incense, from Old French encens, from Late Latin incensum incense, from Latin, neuter of incensus, past participle of incendere to kindle, set on fire, irritate, from in- in- (II) + -cendere to burn (akin to Latin candēre to shine, be glowing hot, be white) — more at candid
1. : material (as gums or woods) used to produce a fragrant odor when burned
2. : the perfume or the smoke exhaled from spices and gums when burned in celebrating religious rites or as an offering to a deity ; broadly : a pleasing scent or fragrance
3. : pleasing attention : homage , flattery
Synonyms: see fragrance
II. “ sometimes ə̇nˈsen- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English encensen, incensen, from Middle French encenser, from Late Latin incensare, from incensum
transitive verb
1.
a. : to apply or offer incense to : burn incense before
b. : to burn or offer as an incense offering
2.
a. : to perfume with or as if with incense : scent
b. archaic : flatter
intransitive verb
: to burn or offer incense
III. (ˈ)in|sen(t)s, ənˈs- transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English encensen, from Middle French incenser, from Latin incensus, past participle of incendere to kindle, set on fire, irritate — more at incense I
1. obsolete
a. : to set fire to : kindle
b. : to consume with fire : burn
2.
a. archaic : to excite (a passion or an emotion) into activity : cause to become aroused
b. obsolete : to inflame (a person) with a passion or emotion
c. : to cause to be extremely angry : arouse the wrath or indignation of
such careless waste incensed her
3. obsolete : to urge to some course or action
IV.
variant of insense