GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Mince (mĭns), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Minced (mĭnst); p. pr. & vb. n. Minging (mĭnˈsĭng).] [AS. minsian to grow less, dwindle, fr. min small; akin to G. minder less, Goth. minniza less, mins less, adv., L. minor, adj. (cf. Minor); or more likely fr. F. mincer to mince, prob. from (assumed) LL. minutiare. √101. See Minish.]
   
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   1. To cut into very small pieces; to chop fine; to hash; as, “to mince meat”.  Bacon.
   
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   2. To suppress or weaken the force of; to extenuate; to palliate; to tell by degrees, instead of directly and frankly; to clip, as words or expressions; to utter half and keep back half of; as, “he doesn't mince words”.
   
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   I know no ways to mince it in love, but directly to say -- “I love you.” Shak.
   
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   Siren, now mince the sin,
   
   And mollify damnation with a phrase. Dryden.
   
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   If, to mince his meaning, I had either omitted some part of what he said, or taken from the strength of his expression, I certainly had wronged him. Dryden.
   
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   3. To affect; to make a parade of. [R.]  Shak.
   
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2.       
   Mince, v. i.
   1. To walk with short steps; to walk in a prim, affected manner.
   
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   The daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, . . . mincing as they go. Is. iii. 16.
   
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   I 'll . . . turn two mincing steps
   
   Into a manly stride. Shak.
   
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   2. To act or talk with affected nicety; to affect delicacy in manner.
   
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3.       
   Mince, n. A short, precise step; an affected manner.
   
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