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Webster 1913 Edition


Frankincense

Frank′in-cense

,
Noun.
[OF.
franc
free, pure +
encens
incense.]
A fragrant, aromatic resin, or gum resin, burned as an incense in religious rites or for medicinal fumigation. The best kinds now come from East Indian trees, of the genus
Boswellia
; a commoner sort, from the Norway spruce (
Abies excelsa
) and other coniferous trees. The frankincense of the ancient Jews is still unidentified.

Webster 1828 Edition


Frankincense

FRANKIN'CENSE

,
Noun.
[frank and incense.] A dry resinous substance in pieces or drops, of a pale yellowish white color, of a bitterish acrid taste, and very inflammable; used as a perfume.

Definition 2024


frankincense

frankincense

English

Noun

frankincense (countable and uncountable, plural frankincenses)

  1. A type of incense obtained from the Boswellia thurifera tree.
    • 1916, James Joyce, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man:
      The glories of Mary held his soul captive : spikenard and myrrh and frankincense, symbolising the preciousness of God's gifts to her soul, rich garments, symbolising her royal lineage, her emblems, the lateflowering plant and lateblossoming tree, symbolising the agelong gradual growth of her cultus among men.

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