mince

 
Pronunciation: /mɪns/

verb

  • 1 [with object] (often as adjective minced) cut up (food, especially meat) into very small pieces, typically in a machine: minced beef
  • 2 [no object] walk with short quick steps in an affectedly dainty manner: there were plenty of secretaries mincing about

noun

[mass noun] British
  • minced meat, especially beef: stir in the mince and fry until browned

Phrases

mince matters

[usually with negative] dated use polite or moderate expressions to indicate disapproval: I hope she and her colleagues won’t mince matters

not mince words (or one's words)

voice one’s disapproval candidly and directly: his doctorly persona is that of a gruff surgeon who does not mince words

Derivatives

mincer

noun

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French mincier, based on Latin minutia 'smallness'