Incensed

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Extremely angry or enraged ; filled with the fragrance of burning incense
2. Greatly upset or infuriated by something ; smelling strongly of incense used in rituals or ceremonies
3. Filled with strong anger or fury ; emitting a pleasant or sacred aroma from burning aromatic substances

Etymology: "Incensed" is the past participle of "incense," used as an adjective, and its angry sense grows out of a verb that once meant to set something on fire. "Incense" comes from Old French "incenser," which in turn traces back to Latin "incendere," meaning "to set fire to" or "to kindle." The literal burning was the starting point: the verb first described lighting something ablaze, and only later came to describe a heated state of mind. The link between fire and anger is the key to the word's history. Early English uses of "incense" carried the sense of stirring up or inflaming a passion, so to be incensed meant to be fired up emotionally, as if one's temper had caught alight. Over time the figurative sense of rousing someone to fury took over, and the adjective settled into its modern meaning of being very angry.

Synonyms: angry, enraged, irate, furious

Antonyms: calm, peaceful, content, pleased