Extenuate

1. To lower or degrade; to detract from.
2. 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.
3. To make thin or slender; to draw out so as to lessen the thickness.
4. Thin; slender.
5. To become thinner; to make excuses; to advance palliating considerations.