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extenuate

 - 3 dictionary results

ex⋅ten⋅u⋅ate

  [ik-sten-yoo-eyt]
Use extenuate in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
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.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME (adj.) < L extenuātus, ptp. of extenuāre, equiv. to ex- ex- 1 + tenuāre to make thin or small; see -ate 1

Related forms:
ex⋅ten⋅u⋅at⋅ing, adjective
ex⋅ten⋅u⋅at⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
ex⋅ten⋅u⋅a⋅tive, adjective
ex⋅ten⋅u⋅a⋅tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To extenuate
ex·ten·u·ate   (ĭk-stěn'yōō-āt')   
tr.v.   ex·ten·u·at·ed, ex·ten·u·at·ing, ex·ten·u·ates

  1. To lessen or attempt to lessen the magnitude or seriousness of, especially by providing partial excuses. See Synonyms at palliate.

  2. Archaic

    1. To make thin or emaciated.

    2. To reduce the strength of.

  3. Obsolete To belittle; disparage.


[Latin extenuāre, extenuāt- : ex-, ex- + tenuāre, to make thin (from tenuis, thin; see ten- in Indo-European roots).]
ex·ten'u·a'tive adj. & n., ex·ten'u·a'tor n., ex·ten'u·a·to'ry (-ə-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

extenuate 
1529, from L. extenuat-, pp. stem of extenuare "lessen," from ex- "out" + tenuare "make thin," from tenuis "thin" (see tenet).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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