incense: English has two distinct words incense, but both come ultimately from the same source. The noun, ‘aromatic burnt substance’ [13], comes via Old French encens from late Latin incensum, a noun use of the verb incendere ‘set fire to’ (source of English incendiary [17]). This in turn was formed from a derivative of candēre ‘glow’ (source of English candle). (From encens was derived Old French censier, which passed into English via Anglo-Norman as censer [13].) Besides the literal ‘set fire to’, incendere was used figuratively for ‘enrage’, which English acquired as the verb incense [15] via Old French. => censer, incendiary
incense (n.)
late 13c., from Old French encens "sweet-smelling substance," from Late Latin incensum (nominative incensus) "burnt incense," literally "something burnt," neuter past participle of Latin incendere "set on fire" (see incendiary).
incense (v.1)
"make angry," early 15c., from Middle French incenser, from Latin incensare, frequentative of Latin incendere "set on fire" (see incendiary). A figurative use of the word used literally in incense (n.). Related: Incensed.
incense (v.2)
"to offer incense, perfume with incense," c. 1300, from Old French encenser, from encens (see incense (n.)).
雙語例句
1. At the shrine of the god there were offerings, libations and incense.
神殿裏供奉著犧牲、鬯酒和貢香。
來自柯林斯例句
2. The musty aroma of incense made her head swim.
熏香發黴的氣味令她感到頭暈。
來自柯林斯例句
3. Mr Sharma lit incense and chanted Sanskrit mantras.
夏爾馬先生點上香，念起梵文咒語。
來自柯林斯例句
4. In summer, they usually burn some coil incense to keep away the mosquitoes.
夏天他們通常點香驅蚊.
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
5. This proposal will incense conservation campaigners.