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  2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Extenuate  \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}. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  extenuating 
  adj  :  partially  excusing  or  justifying;  "extenuating 
  circumstances" 

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