extenuate
英[?k'stenj?e?t;ek-]
美[?k'st?nj?et]
- vt. 減輕；低估；為…找借口；使人原諒
詞態變化
第三人稱單數:?extenuates;過去式:?extenuated;過去分詞:?extenuated;現在分詞:?extenuating;
助記提示
1. ex- "out" + tenu- + -ate.
2. 這里的 ex- "out" 取引申義，表示：離開、脫離原來的狀態或情形。
3. 字面含義：make thin for out. => make sb/sth thin.
4. => lessen, make small, reduce, diminish.
5. 或者：out: 出去、離開、遠離。=> 不管。=> 聽任、讓、使…處于(某種狀態)(leave)。
6. 個人傾向于前一種解釋，前一種解釋似乎更加合理。
英文詞源
- extenuate (v.)
- 1520s, from Latin extenuatus, past participle of extenuare "lessen, make small, reduce, diminish, detract from," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + tenuare "make thin," from tenuis "thin" (see tenet). Used over the years in a variety of literal and figurative senses in English. Related: Extenuated; extenuating. Extenuating circumstances (1660s) are those which lessen the magnitude of guilt (opposed to aggravating).
雙語例句
- 1. Nothing can extenuate his crime.
- 他的罪責無法減輕.
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
- 2. Nothing can extenuate such appalling behaviour.
- 這種駭人聽聞的行徑罪無可恕.
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
- 3. Nothing can extenuate his guilt.
- 他的罪無法減輕.
來自《現代英漢綜合大詞典》
- 4. Nothing can extenuate her negligence.
- 她的玩忽職守是無法掩飾的。
來自辭典例句
- 5. Nothing can extenuate such cruelty.
- 如此殘忍(的行為)不可原諒.
來自辭典例句