Definition of Frankincense

1. Noun. An aromatic gum resin obtained from various Arabian or East African trees; formerly valued for worship and for embalming and fumigation.

Exact synonyms: Gum Olibanum, Olibanum, Thus
Generic synonyms: Gum
Derivative terms: Thurify

Definition of Frankincense

1. n. 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.

Definition of Frankincense

1. Noun. A type of incense obtained from the ''Boswellia thurifera'' tree. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Frankincense

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Frankincense

1. 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. Origin: OF. Franc free, pure + encens incense. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Frankincense

franked
franken-
frankenfish
frankenfood
frankenwords
franker
frankers
frankest
frankforts
frankfurter
frankfurter bun
frankfurters
frankfurts
frankhawthorneite
frankincense
frankincense pine
frankincenses
franking
franking machine
frankings
franklin
franklinfurnaceite
franklinic
franklinic taste
franklinite
franklinites
franklinphilite
franklins
frankly

Literary usage of Frankincense

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Enquiry Into Plants and Minor Works on Odours and Weather Signs by Theophrastus (1916)
"As to frankincense myrrh balsam of Mecca and similar plants it has been said ... Now frankincense myrrh cassia and also cinnamon are found in the Arabian ..."

2. Tropical Agriculture: The Climate, Soils, Cultural Methods, Crops, Live by Earley Vernon Wilcox (1916)
"Frankincense The term frankincense is applied to various resins which yield a strong fragrance in burning. Olibanum, a resin exuding from Boswellia serrata ..."

3. The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and (1910)
"They also melt frankincense as a depilatory, and smear their hands with a paste into the composition of which frankincense enters, for the purpose of ..."

4. Paxton's Magazine of Botany, and Register of Flowering Plants by Joseph Paxton (1849)
"... which has received some attention from modern travellers, and has by them been considered as the true African Bdellium or frankincense tree. ..."

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