cense: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ArchaicFormal, Literary, Religious, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “cense” mean?
To perfume with incense, to burn incense as a ritual act.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To perfume with incense, to burn incense as a ritual act.
To subject to a ceremonial purification or consecration using aromatic smoke. Sometimes used figuratively to describe making something fragrant or metaphorically pure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant dialectal difference in meaning or usage; the word is equally rare in both varieties. In religious contexts, the term may be slightly more familiar in UK contexts due to the Anglican Church's rituals.
Connotations
Carries strong connotations of ancient ritual, high church ceremony, formality, and antiquity. It is not a word of modern secular life.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use. Primarily encountered in historical texts, high liturgical descriptions, or poetic/literary language.
Grammar
How to Use “cense” in a Sentence
[Subject: Priest/Acolyte] + cense + [Object: Altar/People/Object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cense” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The deacon will cense the icons before the procession.
- During the Eucharist, it is customary to cense the altar.
American English
- The priest censed the congregation from the center aisle.
- They cense the sanctuary to prepare for the high holy day.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used only in historical, religious studies, or liturgical texts.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Specific term in liturgical studies or certain religious practices.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cense”
- Misspelling as 'sense' or 'cense' (incorrect part of speech).
- Using it as a synonym for 'make sense of'.
- Confusing it with 'censor' (to suppress).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Incense' is primarily a noun referring to the aromatic substance that is burned. 'Cense' is the related verb meaning 'to burn incense as a ritual act'.
No, it is very rare and considered archaic or highly specialised. It is almost exclusively used in formal religious or literary contexts.
Its core meaning is religious/ceremonial. Any non-religious use is figurative or poetic, implying a purification or making fragrant in a lofty, metaphorical sense.
The object is a 'censer' (also called a 'thurible'). The person who performs the act is a 'censitor' (though this is extremely rare).
To perfume with incense, to burn incense as a ritual act.
Cense is usually formal, literary, religious, archaic in register.
Cense: in British English it is pronounced /sɛns/, and in American English it is pronounced /sɛns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “none”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a priest using **SENSE** (smell) to **CENSE** (incense) the altar. Both 'cense' and 'incense' share the root related to burning.
Conceptual Metaphor
PURITY IS CLEANLINESS / HOLINESS IS FRAGRANCE. The act of censoring is metaphorically 'cleansing' or making holy through fragrant smoke.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'cense'?