censed; censing

transitive verb

: to perfume especially with a censer
censing the area around the altar

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably short for encensen to offer incense, from Anglo-French encenser, from Late Latin incensare, from incensum incense

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cense was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near cense

Cite this Entry

“Cense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cense. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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