incense tree

Noun

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

any of various tropical trees of the family Burseraceae yielding fragrant gums or resins that are burned as incenseSynonyms: incense tree

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Incense \In"cense\, n. [OE. encens, F. encens, L. incensum, fr. incensus, p. p. of incendere to burn. See Incense to inflame.] [1913 Webster]

1.The perfume or odors exhaled from spices and gums when burned in celebrating religious rites or as an offering to some deity. [1913 Webster]

A thick cloud of incense went up.— Ezek. viii. 11.[1913 Webster]

2.The materials used for the purpose of producing a perfume when burned, as fragrant gums, spices, frankincense, etc. [1913 Webster]

Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon.— Lev. x. 1.[1913 Webster]

3.Also used figuratively. [1913 Webster]

Or heap the shrine of luxury and pride, With incense kindled at the Muse's flame.— Gray.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]