Censer

Censer (Fr. cencensoir, from Lat. incendo, 'I burn'), a vase, or other sacred vessel, used for burning Incense (q.v.). Censers were used in the Hebrew service of the temple. The ordinary censer, called also a thurible (Lat. thuribulum, from thus, 'frankincense'), used in Catholic services, is a metallic vessel for holding burning charcoal, of brass or latten, silver, silver-plated, or even of gold. It is shaped like a vase or cup, has a movable cover, usually perforated, and is suspended by chains (generally four in number) so as to be swung to and fro for the readier dispersion of the smoke of the incense, which is thrown upon the live charcoal.