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FRANKINCENSE

A white resin obtained from balsam trees and used in perfumes and medicines. One of the events related following the birth of Jesus was a visit to the manger by wise men from the East who brought him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:10-11). (Etym. Old French franc encens, pure incense.)

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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