/
ɪkˈstɛnjʊeɪt,
ɛk-/
v.
[
usu. as adj. extenuating]
lessen the seriousness of (guilt or an offence) by reference to a mitigating factor.
Derivative
- extenuation n.
- extenuatory
/-jʊət(ə)ri/
adj.
Etymology
ME (in the sense ‘make thin’): from L. extenuat-, extenuare ‘make thin’, based on tenuis ‘thin’.
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