ex·ten·u·a·tion \ikˌstenyəˈwāshən, (ˌ)ekˌ-\noun (-s) Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin extenuation-, extenuatio, from extenuatus + -ion-, -io -ion 1.: the act of extenuating or state of being extenuated; especially: partial justification < there is surely much to be said in extenuation of it — Stewart Cockburn > 2.: something that extenuates; especially: a partial excuse < it was a comfort to him, this extenuation — Audrey Barker >