<p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object)<ul><li>Minced, minc·ing:<ul><li>To cut or chop into very small pieces.</li><li>To soften, moderate, or weaken (one's words), especially for the sake of decorum or courtesy.</li><li>To perform or utter with affected elegance.</li><li>To subdivide minutely, as land or a topic for study.</li></ul></li></ul></li><li>(used without object)<ul><li>Minced, minc·ing:<ul><li>To walk or move with short, affectedly dainty steps.</li><li>Archaic: To act or speak with affected elegance.</li></ul></li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>Something cut up very small; mincemeat.</li></ul>