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It is not only important, but, in a degree necessary, that the people of this country, should have an American Dictionary of the English language; for, although the body of the language is the same as in England, and it is desirable to perpetuate that sameness, yet some differences must exist. Language is the expression of ideas; and if the people of one country cannot preserve an identity of ideas, they cannot retain an identity of language. |
IN'CENSE, n. in'cens. [L. incensum, burnt, from incendo, to burn.]
IN'CENSE, v.t. in'cens. To perfume with incense. In the Romish church, it is the deacon's office to incense the officiating priest or prelate, and the choir.
To set on fire; to inflame; to kindle; to
burn.
[Obs.]
Twelve Trojan princes wait on thee, and labor to
incense To inflame with anger; to endkindle; 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. To offer incense to. See
Incense.
[Obs.] Chaucer. To perfume with, or as with,
incense.
"Incensed with wanton sweets."
Marston. The perfume or odors exhaled from spices
and gums when burned in celebrating religious rites or as an offering
to some deity.
A thick cloud of incense went up. Ezek. viii. 11. 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. Lev. x. 1. 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. | ||||||||