First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1mince
verb \ˈmin(t)s\
: to cut (food) into very small pieces
: to walk with quick, short steps in a way that does not seem natural and that is often meant to be funny
mincedminc·ing
Full Definition of MINCE
transitive verb
1
a : to cut or chop into very small pieces b : to subdivide minutely; especially : to damage by cutting up
2
: to utter or pronounce with affectation
3
a archaic : minimize b : to restrain (words) within the bounds of decorum
intransitive verb
: to walk with short steps in a prim affected manner
— minc·er noun
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Origin of MINCE
Middle English, from Anglo-French mincer, from Vulgar Latin *minutiare, from Latin minutia smallness — more at minutia
2mince
noun
; also : ground meat of a specified kind
Full Definition of MINCE
1
: small chopped bits (as of food); specifically : mincemeat
2
British : hamburger 1a
See mince defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of MINCE
1600
MINCED Defined for Kids
mince
verb \ˈmins\
mincedminc·ing
Definition of MINCE for Kids
1
: to cut or chop into very small pieces <minced onion>
2
: to act or speak in an unnaturally dainty way <Little Jehu came mincing in, a glitter of bright colors. — Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain>
3
: to phrase comments in such a way as to not cause offense <I'll not mince words with you; you know you lied.>
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