mincing
/'minsiɳ/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Affectedly dainty or refined: Describing a manner of speech, movement, or behavior that is overly delicate, precise, or elegant in an unnatural, exaggerated, and often effeminate way. It suggests a lack of naturalness and an attempt to appear more refined or genteel than one genuinely is.
Usage
The adjective mincing is used to describe a person's mannerisms, especially their walk or speech. It is almost always used in a critical or disapproving way to highlight affectation. - It typically modifies nouns like step, walk, gait, voice, tone, or manner. - It can be used predictively (e.g., "His walk was mincing") or attributively (e.g., "a mincing gait").
Examples
- He walked across the room with a mincing step, careful not to make a sound.
- She spoke in a high, mincing voice that irritated her colleagues.
- The actor's mincing portrayal of the character was criticized for relying on stereotypes.
- I find his mincing manners insufferably pretentious.
Advanced Usage
- "To mince words": This is a related but distinct phrasal verb. It means to speak vaguely or indirectly, especially to avoid saying something unpleasant or offensive. It does not describe a physical mannerism.
- Example: "She didn't mince words when she told him his work was unacceptable." (Here, she was direct, not indirect.)
Variants and Related Words
- Mince (verb):
- To chop food, especially meat, into very small pieces.
- Example: "Mince the garlic finely for the sauce."
- To walk or speak in an affectedly dainty manner (the source of the adjective mincing).
- Example (archaic/formal): "She minced across the stage."
- Mincingly (adverb): In a mincing manner.
- Example: "He spoke mincingly, emphasizing every syllable."
Synonyms
- Affected: Behaving in an artificial way to impress others.
- Dainty: Excessively delicate and refined (can be neutral or negative).
- Effeminate (of a man): Having traits traditionally considered feminine (often used pejoratively; context is important).
- Precious: Affectedly concerned with elegant or refined behavior, language, or tastes.
- Prim: Stiffly formal and respectable; feeling or showing disapproval of anything regarded as improper.
Antonyms
- Natural: Free from affectation or artificiality.
- Unaffected: Genuine and sincere.
- Hearty: Loud, vigorous, and unrestrained.
- Robust: Strong and healthy; vigorous.
Related Idioms/Phrases
- "Mince words": As noted in Advanced Usage, this means to moderate or soften one's speech to be polite or avoid offense. The phrase "not mince words" is more common, meaning to speak bluntly and directly.
- Example: "He's a politician who never minces his words."
Adjective
-
affectedly dainty or refined
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