Word: extenuate Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Latin extenuātus (“diminished, reduced, thinned”) (more at etymology 1), see -ate (verb-forming suffix). Pronunciation: /ɪkˈstɛnjʊeɪt/, /ɛk-/, /-juː/, /ɪkˈstɛnjəˌweɪt/ 1. To make (something) less dense, or thinner; also, to lower the viscosity of (something). Labels: formal, obsolete, transitive Example: Garlyke. It doth extenuate and cutte groſſe humours and ſlymy, diſſolueth groſſe wyndes, and healeth all the body; […] yf it be ſodden vntyll it loſeth his tarteneſſe, it ſomewhat nouryſſheth, and yet looſeth not his propertie, to extenuate groſſe humours: […] Example: [T]hey ſuppoſe an Olive the more grovvne it is in carnoſitie, to be the fuller of oile: vvhereas in very truth, all the good juice in them is converted then into the groſſe and corpulent ſubſtance thereof, […] unleſſe there enſue a drie ſeaſon and faire vveather to extenuate that groſſe ſubſtance into vvhich the Olive had turned the foreſaid juice and humour, all the oile is conſumed and loſt. 2. To make (someone or something) slender or thin; to emaciate, to waste. Labels: archaic, formal, obsolete, transitive Example: It was deemed meritorious to disfigure the body by neglect and filth, to extenuate it by fasting and watchfulness, to lacerate it with stripes, and to fret the wounds with cilices of horsehair. Example: Mamma's reception of her, just off the long winter journey, and extenuated with fatigues and sickly chagrins, was of the most cutting cruelty: "What do you want here? What is a medicant like you come hither for?" 3. To underestimate or understate the importance of (something); to underrate. Labels: archaic, formal, obsolete, transitive Example: The Company having novv pretty vvell ſatisfied their Thirſt, nothing remained but to pay the Reckoning, a Circumſtance often productive of much Miſchief and Diſcontent among the inferior Rank of Gentry; vvho are apt to find great Difficulty in aſſeſſing the Sum, vvith exact Regard to diſtributive Juſtice, vvhich directs, that every Man ſhall pay according to the Quantity vvhich he drinks. […] In this Controverſy, the vvhole Company ſpoke together, and every Man ſeemed vvholly bent to extenuate the Sum vvhich fell to his Share; […] 4. To underestimate or understate the importance of (something); to underrate. Labels: archaic, formal, obsolete, specifically, transitive Example: to extenuate his faults to extenuate their crimes Example: I knovv vvhat you vvould ſay: if I haue knovvne her, / You vvill ſay, ſhe did imbrace me as a husband, / And ſo extenuate the forehand ſinne: No, Leonato, / I never tempted her vvith vvord too large; / But as a brother to his ſiſter, ſhevved / Baſhful ſinceritie, and comelie loue. 5. To beat or draw (a metal object, etc.) out so as to lessen the thickness. Labels: formal, obsolete, transitive Example: [T]he Chinians can very cunningly beate and extenuate gold into plates and leaues. Example: His [the sawfish's] Trunk or Body preſently behind his Head, becomes five inches broad, and about three high; from whence it is again extenuated all the way to the end of his Tail. 6. To reduce the quality or quantity of (something); to lessen or weaken the force of (something). Labels: formal, obsolete, transitive Example: Arte amplifieth or extenuateth at occaſion: the reſidue is the liberality of the pen, or the poyſon of the inke: […] Example: For you, faire Hermia, looke you arme your ſelfe, / To fit your fancies, to your fathers vvill; / Or elſe, the Lavv of Athens yeelds you vp / (VVhich by no meanes vve may extenuate) / To death, or to a vovve of ſingle life. 7. To degrade (someone); to detract from (someone's qualities, reputation, etc.); to depreciate, to disparage. Labels: formal, obsolete, transitive Example: [I]t hath beene ordinarie vvith politique men to extenuate and diſable learned men by the names of Pedantes: […] Example: Nor can vve extenuate the valour of ancient Martyrs, vvho contemned death in the uncomfortable ſcene of their lives, […]