minced
|minced|
/mɪns/
(mince)
make small / small pieces
Etymology
'mince' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'mincier', ultimately from Latin 'minutus' meaning 'small'.
'minutus' in Latin gave rise to Old French 'mincier'/'mincer', which entered Middle English as 'mincen' and later became the modern English 'mince'.
Initially, it meant 'make small' (from Latin 'minutus' = small); over time it came to mean specifically 'cut into small pieces' and later acquired figurative senses such as 'soften speech' or 'speak indirectly'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to cut or chop (food) into very small pieces.
She minced the garlic before adding it to the sauce.
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Verb 2
to change wording so as to be less direct or blunt; to soften or euphemize (often used in negative: 'not mince words' = speak plainly).
He minced his words when describing the mistakes to avoid offending anyone.
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Verb 3
(archaic/figurative) To walk with short, affected steps; to move or behave in an affectedly dainty manner.
He minced across the stage, imitating the character's affected manner.
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Last updated: 2025/08/31 17:18