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extenuatory

 - 2 dictionary results

ex⋅ten⋅u⋅a⋅to⋅ry

  [ik-sten-yoo-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]
Use extenuatory in a Sentence
–adjective
tending to extenuate; characterized by extenuation; extenuating.
Origin:
1800–10; < LL extenuātōrius. See extenuate, -tory 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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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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