[ ɪk'stɛnjʊeɪt , ɛk- ]
■ verb [usu. as adjective extenuating ] lessen the seriousness of (guilt or an offence) by reference to a mitigating factor.
Derivatives
extenuation noun
extenuatory -jʊət(ə)ri adjective
Origin
ME (in the sense 'make thin'): from L. extenuat- , extenuare 'make thin', based on tenuis 'thin'.