mincemeat
UK[ˈmɪnsmiːt]US[ˈmɪnsˌmiːt]
n
A mixture of finely chopped dried fruit, spices, and sometimes meat, used especially as a filling for pies.
n
A person or thing that is completely destroyed or defeated (used in the phrase 'make mincemeat of').
Morpheme Breakdown
mince
meat
mince
cut finely
meat
flesh, food
Etymology
The word 'mincemeat' is a compound formed from two English words, 'mince' and 'meat', which originally described its literal composition. 'Mince' derives from the Latin minutus, meaning 'small', via Old French, and refers to the action of chopping food into tiny pieces. 'Meat', from Old English mete, originally meant 'food' in general, not specifically animal flesh. Thus, 'mincemeat' historically referred to any finely chopped food mixture. Over time, its meaning narrowed to the specific sweet, spiced fruit filling associated with pies, while the phrase 'make mincemeat of' evolved as a vivid metaphorical extension, implying the thorough destruction of an opponent as if they had been chopped up.
Analysis
Structure: mince (cut finely) + meat (flesh, food)
- mince: From Old French mincier, from Vulgar Latin minutiare (to make small), from Latin minutus (small). Functional role: Verb root describing the action of cutting.
- meat: From Old English mete (food, nourishment). Functional role: Noun root denoting the substance being prepared.
Examples
The recipe for the traditional pie calls for raisins, currants, and suet to make the mincemeat.
He made mincemeat of his opponent's arguments during the debate.
We spent the afternoon preparing jars of homemade mincemeat for the holidays.