Mince

[mins] /mɪns/

verb (used with object), minced, mincing.
1.
to cut or chop into very small pieces.
2.
to soften, moderate, or weaken (one’s words), especially for the sake of decorum or courtesy.
3.
to perform or utter with affected elegance.
4.
to subdivide minutely, as land or a topic for study.
verb (used without object), minced, mincing.
5.
to walk or move with short, affectedly dainty steps.
6.
Archaic. to act or speak with affected elegance.
noun
7.
something cut up very small; .
Idioms
8.
not mince words / matters, to speak directly and frankly; be blunt or outspoken:
He was angry and didn’t mince words.
/mɪns/
verb
1.
(transitive) to chop, grind, or cut into very small pieces
2.
(transitive) to soften or moderate, esp for the sake of convention or politeness: I didn’t mince my words
3.
(intransitive) to walk or speak in an affected dainty manner
noun
4.
(mainly Brit) minced meat
5.
(informal) nonsensical rubbish
v.

late 14c., “to chop in little pieces,” from Old French mincier “make into small pieces,” from Vulgar Latin *minutiare “make small,” from Late Latin minutiæ “small bits,” from Latin minutus “small” (see minute (adj.)). Of speech, “to clip affectedly in imitation of elegance,” 1540s; of words or language, “to restrain in the interest of decorum,” 1590s. Meaning “to walk with short or precise steps” is from 1560s. Related: Minced; mincing.
n.

“minced meat,” 1850; see mincemeat.

noun

An unfashionable or tedious person; bore; drip: Anybody who still wears saddle shoes is a ”mince” (1960s+ Students)