Category:Incense

Incense is the granular substance burned during liturgical ceremonies that produces smoke and a fragrance. The use of incense in the Mass is generally specified to the Entrance Procession, incensing of the altar at the beginning of Mass, the incensing of the Gospel, the incensing of the gifts at the Offertory, the incensing of the Blessed Sacrament during the Eucharistic Prayer, and (in some places) the Exit Procession. It is also used in Exposition, Benediction, and processions with the Blessed Sacrament. More...

In*cense", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Incensed; p. pr. & vb. n. Incensing.] Etym: [L. incensus, p. p. of incendere; pref. in- in + root of candere to glow. See Candle.]

1. To set on fire; to inflame; to kindle; to burn. [Obs.] Twelve Trojan princes wait on thee, and labor to incense Thy glorious heap of funeral. Chapman.

2. To inflame with anger; to enkindle; to fire; to incite; to provoke; to heat; to madden. The people are incensed him. Shak.

Syn. -- To enrage; exasperate; provoke; anger; irritate; heat; fire; instigate.

incense In"cense, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Incensed; p. pr. & vb. n. Incensing.] Etym: [LL. incensare: cf. F. encenser. See Incense, n.]

1. To offer incense to. See Incense. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. To perfume with, or as with, incense. "Incensed with wanton sweets." Marston.

incense In"cense, n. Etym: [OE. encens, F. encens, L. incensum, fr. incensus, p. p. of incendere to burn. See Incense to inflame.]

1. The perfume or odors exhaled from spices and gums when burned in celebrating religious rites or as an offering to some deity. A thick of incense went up. Ezekiel 8:11.

2. The materials used for the purpose of producing a perfume when burned, as fragrant gums, spices, frankincense, etc. Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon. Leviticus 10:1.

3. Also used figuratively. Or heap the shrine of luxury and pride, 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.

Illustrated Bible Dictionary
---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Incense - A fragrant composition prepared by the "art of the apothecary." It consisted of four ingredients "beaten small" (Exodus 30:34). That which was not thus prepared was called "strange incense" (Exodus 30:9). It was offered along with every meat-offering; and besides was daily offered on the golden altar in the holy place, and on the great Day of Atonement was burnt by the high priest in the holy of holies (Exodus 30:7 - 30:8). It was the symbol of prayer (Psalms 141:1, Psalms 141:2; Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:3, Revelation 8:4).