mince

[mins]

verb (used with object)

minced, mincing 

1. to cut or chop into very small pieces.

2. to soften, moderate, or weaken (one's words), especially for the sake of decorum or courtesy.

3. to perform or utter with affected elegance.

4. to subdivide minutely, as land or a topic for study.

verb (used without object)

minced, mincing 

1. to walk or move with short, affectedly dainty steps.

2. Archaic.,  to act or speak with affected elegance.

noun

1. something cut up very small; mincemeat.

mince

/ mɪns /

verb

1. (tr) to chop, grind, or cut into very small pieces

2. (tr) to soften or moderate, esp for the sake of convention or politeness

   I didn't mince my words

3. (intr) to walk or speak in an affected dainty manner

noun

1. minced meat

2. informal,  nonsensical rubbish

Other Word Forms

• mincer noun
• unminced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mince¹

1350–1400; Middle English mincen < Middle French minc ( i ) er < Vulgar Latin *minūtiāre to mince; minute ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of mince¹

C14: from Old French mincier, from Vulgar Latin minūtiāre (unattested), from Late Latin minūtia smallness; see _minutiae

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. not mince words / matters, to speak directly and frankly; be blunt or outspoken.

   He was angry and didn't mince words.

Example Sentences

Vanessa Valdez, an attorney and resident, didn’t mince her words.

From Los Angeles Times

The writer Morrow Mayo seldom minced words, especially when his subject was the gaudy, tawdry city where he made his home in the 1920s and 1930s.

From Los Angeles Times

TJ’s take on a classic Vietnamese dish includes minced and fried shrimp and veggies that are generously seasoned with a blend of ginger, garlic, sesame oil and lemongrass.

From Salon

My favorite way to cook frozen peas is sautéing them in a hot pan alongside butter, minced garlic, finely chopped onions and lemon juice.

From Salon

For many years, the CDC hasn’t minced words on vaccines.

From Salon

Related Words

• crumble 
• grind