Extenuate

v. t.	1.	To make thin or slender; to draw out so as to lessen the thickness. [imp. & p. p. Extenuated; p. pr. & vb. n. Extenuating.] His body behind the head becomes broad, from whence it is again extenuated all the way to the tail. - Grew.
	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.
	3.	To lower or degrade; to detract from. Who can extenuate thee? - Milton.
v. i.	1.	To become thinner; to make excuses; to advance palliating considerations.
a.	1.	Thin; slender.

Verb

1.

extenuate - lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of; "The circumstances extenuate the crime" Synonyms: mitigate, palliate

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