Extenuate



GRE 蓝宝 Barron

解释

GRE 红宝书

• v.掩饰 ( 罪行) , 减轻罪过
• ［英］ v.掩饰 ( 罪行) , 减轻罪过 ( to lessen the seriousness of an offense, guilt by giving excuses)
• ［记］ ex+tenu ( 细薄) +ate -> 使...微不足道 -> 掩饰 ( 罪行)
• ［同］ 同根词: attenuate ( 变细, 变薄)

Webster Collegiate

transitive verb (-ated; -ating)

• Etymology: Latin extenuatus, past participle of extenuare, from ex- + tenuis thin — more at thin
• Date: 1529
• 1.
  • a. archaic to make light of
  • b. to lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of by making partial excuses ; mitigate <extenuating circumstances>
  • c. obsolete disparage
• 2.
  • a. archaic to make thin or emaciated
  • b. to lessen the strength or effect of
• ? extenuator noun
• ? extenuatory adjective

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