Extenuate

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language

·adj Thin; slender.

II. Extenuate ·vt To lower or degrade; to detract from.

III. Extenuate ·vt To make thin or slender; to draw out so as to lessen the thickness.

IV. Extenuate ·vi To become thinner; to make excuses; to advance palliating considerations.

V. Extenuate ·vt To Lessen; to Palliate; to lessen or weaken the force of; to diminish the conception of, as crime, guilt, faults, ills, accusations, ·etc.;

— opposed to aggravate.