Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MINCE, v.i.

1. To walk with short steps; to walk with affected nicety; to affect delicacy in manner. I'll turn two mincing steps / Into a manly stride. – Sheik. Because the daughters of Zion are haughty-walking and mincing as they go. – Is. iii.
2. To speak softly; or with affected nicety. – Dryden.