— extenuating , adj. — extenuatingly , adv. — extenuative , adj. — extenuator , n.
/ik sten"yooh ayt'/ , v.t., extenuated, extenuating .
1. to represent (a fault, offense, etc.) as less serious: to extenuate a crime.
2. to serve to make (a fault, offense, etc.) seem less serious.
3. to underestimate, underrate, or make light of: Do not extenuate the difficulties we are in.
4. Archaic.
a. to make thin, lean, or emaciated.
b. to reduce the consistency or density of.
[ 1375-1425; late ME (adj.) extenuatus, ptp. of extenuare, equiv. to ex- EX- 1 + tenuare to make thin or small; see -ATE 1 ]