MINCE

I. verb (~d; mincing) see: minutia Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. to cut or chop into very small pieces, to subdivide minutely, to utter or pronounce with affectation, 3. minimize , to restrain (words) within the bounds of decorum, intransitive verb to walk with short steps in a prim affected manner, ~r noun II. noun Date: 1600 small chopped bits (as of food), hamburger 1a