/ mɪns; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
( NAmE also grind ) [ vn ] to cut food, especially meat, into very small pieces using a special machine (= called a mincer ) :
minced beef
2.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] ( disapproving ) to walk with quick short steps, in a way that is not natural :
He minced over to serve us.
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IDIOMS
- not mince (your) words
■ noun
( BrE ) ( US ˌground ˈbeef , ham·burg·er , ˈhamburger meat ) [ U ] meat, especially beef, that has been finely chopped in a special machine :
a pound of mince
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French mincier , based on Latin minutia smallness.