extenuation
pronunciation
How to pronounce extenuation in British English:
UK [ɪks'tenjʊ'eɪʃən]
How to pronounce extenuation in American English:
US [ɪk'stenjʊ'eɪʃən]
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- 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
Word Origin
- extenuation (n.)
- early 15c., from Latin extenuationem (nominative extenuatio) "a lessening, diminution," noun of action from past participle stem of extenuare "lessen, reduce, diminish" (see extenuate).
Example
- 1. Counsel pleaded the accused 's age in extenuation of his actions .
- 2. He pleaded poverty in extenuation of ie as an excuse for the theft .
- 3. Judge : do you have anything to say in mitigation or extenuation before I pass sentence ?
- 4. Her plea of ignorance of the law in extenuation of her crime was not accepted .
- 5. Were such a man once more to fall , what plea could be urged in extenuation of his crime ?