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in·cense²

(ĭnsĕns′)

a. An aromatic substance, such as wood or a gum, that is burned to produce a pleasant odor.

b. The smoke or odor produced by the burning of such a substance.

2. A pleasant smell.

tr.v. in·censed, in·cens·ing, in·cens·es

1. To perfume with incense.

2. To burn incense to (a deity, for example) as a ritual offering.

[Middle English encens, from Old French, from Latin incēnsum, from neuter past participle of incendere, to set on fire; see kand- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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