noun
mincemeat
MIHNS-meet
noun
1
A sweet mixture of chopped dried fruit, spices, and suet, traditionally used to fill mince pies.
"She stirred cinnamon and brandy into the mincemeat for the Christmas pies."
2
Informally, something or someone completely destroyed or defeated (as in "make mincemeat of").
"The champion made mincemeat of his opponent in the first round."
How to Use Mincemeat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe spiced fruit filling used in mince pies at Christmas, or, informally, a way of saying someone was thoroughly beaten.
Common mistake
Despite the name, modern mincemeat rarely contains any actual meat.
Common pairings
make mincemeat of
mince pies with mincemeat
Word Forms
mincemeats plural
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She stirred cinnamon and brandy into the _____ for the Christmas pies.
Etymology
Originally "minced meat"; over time the fruit-and-spice filling replaced the meat, but the name stuck.