Extenuate

Extenuate: to make or to become weak, thin or slender.

Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology John. B. Smith

Extenuate the faults of others, and excuse them as far as thou canst; but accuse thyself severely of whatever thou doest amiss.

Spiritual Works of Louis of Blois 1506-1566 1903

Extenuate not any breach of them as a slight error.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

Extenuate, as for the brandy nothing, 597. nothing, 156.

Familiar Quotations A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs Traced to Their Sources in Ancient and Modern Literature John Bartlett 1862

"Extenuate my conduct!"'she concluded, quoting Mr. Gibson's words.

Wives and Daughters Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell 1837

This was an Unhappy Infirmity, but the Weaknefs all this while, does not Excufe the Perfidy, though it may feem in fome Meafure to Extenuate the Crime, by the Poor Crea - tures lying under almoft an Iniuperable Frailty.

Fables of Æsop, and other eminent mythologists : with morals and reflexions. 1692

(though some of them may Extenuate) a Crime, in any man, that pretendeth to the administration of his own private businesse; much lesse in them that undertake a publique charge; because they pretend to the Reason, upon the want whereof they would ground their Excuse.

Leviathan Thomas Hobbes 1633