[ex.ten.u.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L extenuatus, pp. of extenuare, fr. ex- + tenuis thin--more at thin] (1529) 1 a archaic: to make light of b: to lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of by making partial excuses: mitigate c obs: disparage
2. a archaic: to make thin or emaciated b: to lessen the strength or effect of -- ex.ten.u.a.tor n -- ex.ten.u.a.to.ry adj