mince

[ mins ]

verb (used with object)

, minced, minc·ing.

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, minc·ing.

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 Words From

• mincer noun
• un·minced 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

Aside from the middle aisle, Mr McDonnell said there had been a lot of early spend on mince pies, party food and panettone.

From BBC

In 2019, when Gerrit Cole spurned his hometown Angels to sign with the New York Yankees, his agent did not mince words in explaining why.

From Los Angeles Times

Traditionally, it consisted of a savoury pie filled with minced beef, served with mashed potatoes and a parsley liquor.

From BBC

Miss Churchyard said she trained six days a week and before each session would eat 250g of mince, three eggs and a whole avocado.

From BBC

You can substitute fresh tarragon for the thyme and any onion variety for the shallots as long as they are tiny minced.

From Salon

Related Words

• crumble
• grind