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. [Obs.]
Who can extenuate thee? --Milton.
Syn: To palliate; to mitigate. See {Palliate}.