Cense, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Censed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Censing.] [Abbrev. from incense.] To perfume with odors from burning gums and spices.
The Salii sing and cense his altars round.
Dryden.
Cense, v. i. To burn or scatter incense.
Cen"ser (?), n. [For incenser, fr. OF. encensier, F. encensoir, fr. LL. incensarium, incensorium, fr. L. incensum incense. See Incense, and cf. Incensory.] A vessel for perfumes; esp. one in which incense is burned.
&fist; The ecclesiastical censer is usually cup-shaped, has a cover pierced with holes, and is hung by chains. The censer bearer swings it to quicken the combustion.
Her thoughts are like the fume of frankincense
Which from a golden censer forth doth rise.
Spenser.
Cen"sor (?), n. [L. censor, fr. censere to value, tax.] 1. (Antiq.) One of two magistrates of Rome who took a register of the number and property of citizens, and who also exercised the office of inspector of morals and conduct.
2. One who is empowered to examine manuscripts before they are committed to the press, and to forbid their publication if they contain anything obnoxious; -- an official in some European countries.