Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EX-TEN'U-ATE, v.t. [L. extenuo; ex and tenuo, to make thin; Sp. extenuar; It. stenuare. See Thin.]

1. To make thin, lean or slender. Sickness extenuates the body. Encyc.
2. To lessen; to diminish; as, a crime or guilt. But fortune there extenuates the crime. Dryden.
3. To lessen in representation; to palliate; opposed to aggravate.
4. To lessen or diminish in honor. [Little used.] Milton.
5. To make thin or rare; opposed to condense. [Little used.] Bacon.