extenuation

[ ik-sten-yoo-ey-shuh n ]

/ ɪkˌstɛn yuˈeɪ ʃən /

the act of extenuating.

the state of being extenuated.

something that extenuates; a partial excuse: The youth of the defendant served as an extenuation.

Origin of extenuation

1375–1425; late Middle English extenuacioun < Latin extenuātiōn- (stem of extenuātiō). See extenuate, -ion

In extenuation of this summary attempt I hasten to explain that its chief merit is its lack of originality.

In Morocco |Edith Wharton
In every respect they were so evenly matched that the test of battle could have no aftermath of extenuation.

The Fight for a Free Sea: A Chronicle of the War of 1812 |Ralph D. Paine
In extenuation I urge that he was a very weary, sick old man.

The Amenities of Book-Collecting and Kindred Affections |A. Edward Newton
I, too, have left my post of duty—but let the result be an extenuation of my desertion.

By Force of Impulse |Harry V. Vogt

He does not seem to have had even a fondness for fruit to plead in extenuation of his larceny.

Notes and Queries, No. 179. Saturday, April 2, 1853. |Various