Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for mince on Thesaurus.com verb (used with object), minced, minc·ing. to cut or chop into very small pieces. to soften, moderate, or weaken (one's words), especially for the sake of decorum or courtesy. to perform or utter with affected elegance. to subdivide minutely, as land or a topic for study. Show More
verb (used without object), minced, minc·ing. to walk or move with short, affectedly dainty steps. Archaic to act or speak with affected elegance. Show More
not mince words /matters , to speak directly and frankly; be blunt or outspoken: He was angry and didn't mince words. Show More
Origin of mince 1350–1400; Middle English mincen <
Middle French minc(i)er <
Vulgar Latin *minūtiāre to mince; see
minute2 Related forms minc·er , noun un·minced , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for mincer Historical Examples of mincer "I've helped to 'try out' one hundred and fifty bar'ls from one whale," said the mincer .
The mincer now stands before you invested in the full canonicals of his calling.
They have no interest in making the million take their literature after it has been passed through a mincer .
After being severed from the whale, the white-horse is first cut into portable oblongs ere going to the mincer .
British Dictionary definitions for mincer an appliance used to mince meat Show More
(tr) to chop, grind, or cut into very small pieces (tr) to soften or moderate, esp for the sake of convention or politeness I didn't mince my words (intr) to walk or speak in an affected dainty manner Show More
mainly British minced meat informal nonsensical rubbish Show More
Word Origin for mince C14: from Old French mincier, from Vulgar Latin minūtiāre (unattested), from Late Latin minūtia smallness; see minutiae
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for mincer v. late 14c., "to chop in little pieces," from Old French mincier "make into small pieces," from Vulgar Latin *minutiare "make small," from Late Latin minutiæ "small bits," from Latin minutus "small" (see minute (adj.)). Of speech, "to clip affectedly in imitation of elegance," 1540s; of words or language, "to restrain in the interest of decorum," 1590s. Meaning "to walk with short or precise steps" is from 1560s. Related: Minced ; mincing .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
