— mincer , n.
/mins/ , v. , minced, mincing , n.
v.t.
1. to cut or chop into very small pieces.
2. to soften, moderate, or weaken (one's words), esp. 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.
v.i.
5. to walk or move with short, affectedly dainty steps.
6. Archaic. to act or speak with affected elegance.
7. not mince words or matters , to speak directly and frankly; be blunt or outspoken: He was angry and didn't mince words.
n.
8. something cut up very small; mincemeat.
[ 1350-1400; ME mincen minc ( i ) er minutiare to mince; see MINUTE 2 ]