Ex·ten·u·ate v. t. [imp. & p. p. Extenuated p. pr. & vb. n. Extenuating ]
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.