extenuation

Meanings

Plural: extenuations

Noun

• a partial excuse to mitigate censure; an attempt to represent an offense as less serious than it appears by showing mitigating circumstances
• to act in such a way as to cause an offense to seem less serious
• The action of extenuating; extenuated condition.
• The action or process of making or becoming thin; an instance of this; a shrunken condition; leanness, emaciation.
• The action of extenuating; extenuated condition.
• Making less dense; rarefaction.
• The action of extenuating; extenuated condition.
• The action or process of making slender or diminishing in bulk; an instance of this.
• The action of extenuating; extenuated condition.
• The action of making less or weak; and instance of this; a weakening, impoverishment. Also, mitigation (of blame or punishment).
• The action of extenuating; extenuated condition.
• The action of representing (something) as slight and trifling; underrating; an instance of this, a plea to this end; a modification in terms.
• The action of extenuating; extenuated condition.
• The action of representing (something) as slight and trifling; underrating; an instance of this, a plea to this end; a modification in terms.
• A figure in which a term is used which, in contrast with the more fitting term it supplants, understates or seeks to diminish the significance of something.
• The action of extenuating; extenuated condition.
• The action of lessening, or seeking to lessen, the guilt of (an offence or fault) by alleging partial excuses; and instance or means of doing this; a plea in mitigation of censure.
• The action of extenuating; extenuated condition.
• Thin garments.

Synonyms

mitigation, palliation