Extenuate Definition
ĭk-stĕnyo͝o-āt
extenuated, extenuates, extenuating
verb
extenuates, extenuating
To make thin or lean.
Webster's New World
To lessen or seem to lessen the seriousness of (an offense, guilt, etc.) by giving excuses or serving as an excuse.
Extenuating circumstances.
Webster's New World
To diminish or weaken.
Webster's New World
To underrate; underestimate.
Webster's New World
To belittle or disparage.
Webster's New World
Origin of Extenuate
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From Latin extenuatus, past participle of extenuare (“to make thin, loosen, weaken”) from ex (“out”) + tenuare (“to make thin”), from tenuis (“thin”).
From Wiktionary
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Latin extenuāre extenuāt- ex- ex- tenuāre to make thin (from tenuis thin ten- in Indo-European roots)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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