[ad. L. extenuātiōn-em, n. of action f. extenuāre to EXTENUATE. Cf. F. exténuation.] The action of extenuating; extenuated condition.
1. The action or process of making or becoming thin; an instance of this; a shrunken condition; leanness, emaciation.
1576. Baker, Jewell of Health, 171 a. This mightily helpeth the extenuation of members.
1655. Culpepper, Riverius, I. v. 19. A yong man … had an extenuation for want of nourishment in his Limbs.
1707. Floyer, Physic. Pulse-Watch, 183. Galen commends tepid Baths for … curing all Extenuations.
1781. Johnson, Let. Mrs. Thrale, 27 Oct. The extenuation is her only bad symptom.
1825. Scott, Betrothed, xxx. The female … exhibited … some symptoms of extenuation.
1828. Biog., in Ann. Reg., 474/2. Some pallid from extenuation.
† 2. Making less dense; rarefaction (of air).
1655–60. Stanley, Hist. Philos. (1701), 64/2. Winds proceed from extenuation of the Air, by the Sun.
† 3. The action or process of making slender or diminishing in bulk; an instance of this. Obs.
1619. Donne, Serm., xiv. (1640), 140. All dilatation is some degree of extenuation.
1665. Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (1677), 186. The Sea is the same at all Seasons; what it gets by Rivers and showers, losing by exhalations and extenuations through the excessive heats that be usual within the torrid Zone.
1777. Priestley, Matt. & Spir. (1782), I. xix. 229. Gregory the Great … says that God penetrates everything without extenuation.
fig. 1627. Bp. Hall, Holy Observ., 63. No lesse well doth God take these submisse extenuations of our selues.
† 4. The action of making less or weak; an instance of this; a weakening, impoverishment. Also mitigation (of blame or punishment). Obs.
1542–3. Act 34–5 Hen. VIII., c. 18. The saide citie is much decaid … not a little to the extenuacion of that part of this realme.
1596. Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., III. ii. 22. Such extenuation let me begge, As in reproofe of many Tales deuis’d … I may … Finde pardon on my true submission.
1654. H. L’Estrange, Chas. I. (1655), 1. The gallantry of Henry’s heroique spirit tended somewhat to the disadvantage and extenuation of Charles his glory.
1707. Atterbury, Serm., v. (1723), II. 159. What Deeds of Charity we have to alledge in Extenuation of our Punishment?
5. The action of representing (something) as slight and trifling; underrating; an instance of this, a plea to this end; a modification in terms.
1614. Bp. Hall, Recoll. Treat., 209. Sometimes … wee humble our selues lower then there is cause…. And no lesse well doth God take these submisse extenuations of our selues.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., II. i. IV. ii. 228. Through their … extenuation [of their grievance], wretchedness and peevishness they undo themselves.
1722. De Foe, Plague (1754), 7. Many died of it every Day: So that now all our Extenuations abated.
1859. Mill, Liberty, ii. (1865), 13/2. The utmost they allow is an extenuation of its absolute necessity.
† b. Rhet.
1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, III. xix. (Arb.), 227. We call him the Disabler or figure of Extenuation.
1657. J. Smith, Myst. Rhet., 56. When for extenuation sake we use a lighter and more easie word or terme then the matter requires.
1706. in Phillips.
1823. in Crabb, Technol. Dict.
6. The action of lessening, or seeking to lessen, the guilt of (an offence or fault) by alleging partial excuses; an instance or means of doing this; a plea in mitigation of censure. Also In extenuation of.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxvii. 156. EXTENUATION, by which the Crime, that seemed great, is made lesse.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Surv. Leviath. (1676), 180. He … was to find excuses and extenuations for sins.
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 297, ¶ 1. Whatever may be said for the Extenuation of such Defects.
1750. Johnson, Rambler, No. 39, ¶ 7. It may be urged, in extenuation of this crime … that [etc.].
1830. Mackintosh, Eth. Philos., Wks. 1846, I. 28. In extenuation of a noble error.
a. 1832. Bentham, Wks. (1843), I. 174. The differences of castes … furnish a copious stock of extenuations … to different classes of offences.
7. U.S. Used humorously in pl. for: Thin garments.
1881. G. W. Cable, in Scribner’s Mag., May, 23. They were clad in silken extenuations from the throat to the feet.
1883. Pall Mall Gaz., 12 Sept., 2/2. One side wore … extenuations of a light green colour.
