durch Verbrennung wohlriechender Stoffe (Harze) erzeugter Rauch, zu kult. Zwecken gebraucht, so im röm., grch. u. ägypt. Götterkult, im Buddhismus, auch in der röm.-kath. Kirche. I.e.S. bezeichnet man als W. das Olibanumöl, Milchsaft aus den Rinden des W.baums.
ETYM Old Fren. franc free, pure + encens incense.
An aromatic gum resin obtained from various Arabian or eastern African trees; formerly valued for worship and for embalming and fumigation; SYN. olibanum, gum olibanum.
Resin of various African and Asian trees of the genus Boswellia, family Burseraceae, burned as incense. Costly in ancient times, it is traditionally believed to be one of the three gifts brought by the Magi to the infant Jesus.
ETYM Old Eng. encens, French encens, Latin incensum, from incensus, p. p. of incendere to burn. Related to Incense to inflame.
1. A substance that produces a fragrant odor when burned.
2. The pleasing scent produced when incense is burned.