mince

[mɪns]

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A mince is small pieces of food that have been chopped or cut into tiny bits. It can also mean to walk quickly and lightly, like skipping.

When we say "mincemeat", we think of a mixture of fruits, nuts, and spices, usually used in pies during the holiday season. You might find it interesting that this type of filling is called mincemeat because it's made from chopped ingredients - just like the meat is cut into small pieces when cooked!

The verb "to mince" can be tricky for some people to understand at first, but basically it means moving quickly on your feet. You might hear someone describe a person as walking with short steps and light movements by saying they're mincing around.

How common is "mince"?

Word mince is considered uncommon in modern English.
It appears most frequently in magazine texts and less often in other writings.

Definitions

noun

Finely chopped meat.
Finely chopped mixed fruit used in Christmas pies; mincemeat.
Example: During Christmas time my dad loves to eat mince pies.
An affected (often dainty or short and precise) gait.
An affected manner, especially of speaking; an affectation.
(chiefly in the plural) An eye (from mince pie).

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verb

To make less; make small.
To lessen; diminish; to diminish in speaking; speak of lightly or slightingly; minimise.
To effect mincingly.
To cut into very small pieces; to chop fine.
Example: Butchers often use machines to mince meat.
To suppress or weaken the force of
To say or utter vaguely, not directly or frankly
Example: a minced oath
To affect; to pronounce affectedly or with an accent.
To walk with short steps; to walk in a prim, affected manner.
To act or talk with affected nicety; to affect delicacy in manner.
Example: I love going to gay bars and seeing drag queens mince around on stage.