mince (the mod. development sense 2 is illustrated in H5 V. ii. 130）
1.
to extenuate,
make light of
Oth. II. iii. 249
“Thy honesty and love
doth mince this matter.”
2.
to report (what is
said) euphemistically
Ant. I. ii. 114
“mince not the general
tongue.”
3.
to affect in a
mincing manner
Lr. IV. vi. 123
“yond simpering dame . .
. That minces virtue.”
