from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Incense \In"cense\, n. [OE. encens, F. encens, L. incensum, fr.
incensus, p. p. of incendere to burn. See {Incense} to
inflame.]
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1. The perfume or odors exhaled from spices and gums when
burned in celebrating religious rites or as an offering to
some deity.
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A thick cloud of incense went up. --Ezek. viii.
11.
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2. The materials used for the purpose of producing a perfume
when burned, as fragrant gums, spices, frankincense, etc.
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Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of
them his censer, and put fire therein, and put
incense thereon. --Lev. x. 1.
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3. Also used figuratively.
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Or heap the shrine of luxury and pride,
With incense kindled at the Muse's flame. --Gray.
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{Incense tree}, the name of several balsamic trees of the
genus {Bursera} (or {Icica}) mostly tropical American. The
gum resin is used for incense. In Jamaica the
{Chrysobalanus Icaco}, a tree related to the plums, is
called incense tree.
{Incense wood}, the fragrant wood of the tropical American
tree {Bursera heptaphylla}.
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