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Definitions for: Extenuate [v] lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of; "The circumstances extenuate the crime"
Webster (1913) Definition: Ex*ten"u*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Extenuated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Extenuating.] [L. extenuatus, p. p. of
extenuare to make thin, loosen, weaken; ex out + tenuare to
make thin, tenuis thin. See Tenuity.]
1. To make thin or slender; to draw out so as to lessen the
thickness.
His body behind the head becomes broad, from whence
it is again extenuated all the way to the tail.
--Grew.
2. To lessen; to palliate; to lessen or weaken the force of;
to diminish the conception of, as crime, guilt, faults,
ills, accusations, etc.; -- opposed to aggravate.
But fortune there extenuates the crime. --Dryden.
Let us extenuate, conceal, adorn the unpleasing
reality. --I. Taylor.
3. To lower or degrade; to detract from. [Obs.]
Who can extenuate thee? --Milton.
Syn: To palliate; to mitigate. See Palliate.
Ex*ten"u*ate, v. i.
To become thinner; to make excuses; to advance palliating
considerations. --Burke.
Ex*ten"u*ate, a. [L. extenuatus, p. p.]
Thin; slender. [Obs.] --Huloet.
Synonyms: mitigate, palliate
See Also: apologise, apologize, excuse, justify, rationalise, rationalize
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