01 v. t. To make thin or slender; to draw out so as to lessen the thickness.
imp. & p. p.
Extenuated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Extenuating
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1.
To make thin or slender; to draw out so as to lessen the thickness.“His body behind the head becomes broad, from whence it is again extenuated all the way to the tail.” — Grew.
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2.
To lessen; to palliate; to lessen or weaken the force of; to diminish the conception of, as crime, guilt, faults, ills, accusations, etc.; -- opposed to aggravate.“But fortune there extenuates the crime.” — Dryden.“Let us extenuate, conceal, adorn the unpleasing reality.” — I. Taylor.
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3.
To lower or degrade; to detract from.[Obs.]“Who can extenuate thee?” — Milton.