frank·in·cense

(frăng′kĭn-sĕns′)

An aromatic gum resin obtained from African and Asian trees of the genus Boswellia, used as incense and in perfumes.

[Middle English frank encens, from Old French franc encens : franc, free, pure; see frank¹ + encens, incense; see incense².]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

frankincense

(ˈfræŋkɪnˌsɛns)

(Elements & Compounds) an aromatic gum resin obtained from trees of the burseraceous genus Boswellia, which occur in Asia and Africa. Also called: olibanum

[C14: from Old French franc free, pure + encens incense¹; see frank]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

frank•in•cense

(ˈfræŋ kɪnˌsɛns)

n.

an aromatic gum resin from various Asian and African trees of the genus Boswellia, bursera family, used chiefly as an incense and in perfumery.

[1350–1400; Middle English]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

frankincense - an aromatic gum resin obtained from various Arabian or East African trees; formerly valued for worship and for embalming and fumigation

gum olibanum, olibanum, thus

gum - any of various substances (soluble in water) that exude from certain plants; they are gelatinous when moist but harden on drying

Translations

incenso

frankincense

[ˈfræŋkɪnsens] N → incienso m

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

frankincense

[ˈfræŋkɪnsɛns] n → encens m

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

frankincense

n → Weihrauch m

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

frankincense

[ˈfræŋkɪŋˌsɛns] n → incenso

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

A CROW caught in a snare prayed to Apollo to release him, making a vow to offer some frankincense at his shrine.

View in context

The Turks use it in cooking, and also carry it to Mecca, for the same purpose that frankincense is carried to St.

View in context

His lips are sweet as honey, and his breath is like frankincense."

View in context

makes itself a nest of frankincense, and myrrh, and other spices,

View in context

His relation to men is angelic; his memory is myrrh to them; his presence, frankincense and flowers.

View in context

The words which express our faith and piety are not definite; yet they are significant and fragrant like frankincense to superior natures.

View in context

'Well, Sally, there you are!' involved himself in a discursive address from Mrs Sprodgkin, revolving around the result that she regarded tea and sugar in the light of myrrh and frankincense, and considered bread and butter identical with locusts and wild honey.

View in context

He saw that there was no mood of the mind that had not its counterpart in the sensuous life, and set himself to discover their true relations, wondering what there was in frankincense that made one mystical, and in ambergris that stirred one's passions, and in violets that woke the memory of dead romances, and in musk that troubled the brain, and in champak that stained the imagination; and seeking often to elaborate a real psychology of perfumes, and to estimate the several influences of sweet-smelling roots and scented, pollen-laden flowers; of aromatic balms and of dark and fragrant woods; of spikenard, that sickens; of hovenia, that makes men mad; and of aloes, that are said to be able to expel melancholy from the soul.

View in context

Now, therefore, I say battle with your pride and beat it; cherish not your anger for ever; the might and majesty of heaven are more than ours, but even heaven may be appeased; and if a man has sinned he prays the gods, and reconciles them to himself by his piteous cries and by frankincense, with drink-offerings and the savour of burnt sacrifice.

View in context

KUWAIT, Aug 28 (KUNA) -- Frankincense was known as the perfume of kings and sultans, as it was a symbol of power and authority, especially in the Arabian Peninsula.

Oman's Samahram historical perfume village, an int'l tourist attraction

Diverse collection The best versions of the traditional Omani khanjars - the ceremonial dagger -- often inlaid with intricate filigreed silver work and an ivory pommel are often found in Muttrah Souq, as are other Omani handicrafts, which include fine silver jewellery inlaid with precious stones, Omani perfumes made from musk and frankincense, spices that form the base of traditional Omani cooking, and packed versions of Omani kahwa -- a coffee blend that goes back centuries -- if you want to take back with you a taste of Oman.

Travel Oman: Buying souvenirs in Muttrah souq

The number of visitors to Land of Frankincense sites in the Governorate of Dhofar during July stood at 23,419, according to statistics by the Department of Frankincense Land Sites at the Office of His Majesty the Sultan's Advisor for Cultural Affairs.

OVER 23,000 TOURISTS VISIT LAND OF FRANKINCENSE SITES IN DHOFAR