mincingly

1 9.3

Moves or speaks in a small, careful way that does not look natural

adverb
/ˈmɪnsɪŋli/

: con delicadeza

He walked mincingly, careful not to disturb the display of fine china.

Examples

She says, a bit mincingly, "You were out there with me, Grandpa."

Fiction book (1990)
"It means 'life,'" Byron said mincingly to Toby as he pulled the soggy diaper out from under him.

Fiction book (1993)
With a banshee laugh, he tiptoed mincingly, cradling his privates.

Fiction book (1996)
She spoke mincingly as if trying to impress everyone in the room.
The actor delivered his lines mincingly, emphasizing each word with a delicate flourish.

Synonyms

demurely

vsmincingly

2 6.1

In a quiet, modest way that shows shyness

is more about affected delicate movement or speech rather than modest reserve

daintily

vsmincingly

2 4.2

To move or act in a small, careful, delicate way

is more affected, showing an artificial delicate manner in movement or speech

Antonyms

awkwardly

36 2.7

In a clumsy or uncomfortable way, often showing nervousness around other people

clumsily

11 2.8

In an awkward way that shows little skill or control

How Delicate

mincingly

1 9.3

daintily

2 4.2

delicately

39 3.7

gently

324 1.0

Surface Forms

mincingly positive

Morphology

mincingly = mincing (semi-transparent) = mincing + ly

The formation 'mincing' (adjective) + '-ly' is a straightforward adverbial derivation.

Etymology

Mincingly comes from mince, which once meant 'to make small' and is like the words mini and minute ('small'). A helpful way to remember mincingly is to picture very small, careful steps or speech, so it means to move or talk in a small, careful, and often a little unnatural way.