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

Calling it “a joke,” Jillette doesn’t mince words when it comes to the current president.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Some people aren't mincing their words about it either, calling the deals "circular financing" or even "vendor financing" - where a company invests in or lends to its own customers so they can continue making purchases.

Read more on BBC

After an inconsistent start to the season for USC’s secondary, the defensive coordinator stood in front of a cadre of cameras and didn’t mince words.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Both faculty and students are mincing their words in class and approaching their discussions with caution for fear of being reported, said Wright State University junior Rochelle Woodson.

Read more on Salon

This time however the US president did not mince his words, suggesting Starmer should potentially involve the military, and warning that illegal migration "destroys countries from within".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• crumble 
• grind