transitive verb minced, mincing minc′·ing

1. to cut up or chop up (meat, etc.) into very small pieces; hash
2. to subdivide minutely
3. to express or do with affected elegance or daintiness
4. to lessen the force of; weaken, as by euphemism to mince no words

Etymology: ME mincen < OFr mincier < VL *minutiare < L minutus, small: see minute

intransitive verb

1. to speak or act with affected elegance or daintiness
2. to walk with short steps or in an affected, dainty manner

noun