extenuation

名词 extenuation:

1. a partial excuse to mitigate censure; an attempt to represent an offense as less serious than it appears by showing mitigating circumstances
   同义词：mitigation
2. to act in such a way as to cause an offense to seem less serious
   同义词：mitigation, palliation

1. He pleaded poverty in extenuation of (ie as an excuse for) the theft.
   他以贫穷为藉口请求为他犯的偷窃罪从轻量刑。

ex.ten.u.a.tion

n.（名词）
The act of extenuating or the condition of being extenuated; partial justification.
开脱：使人原谅的行为或被人原谅的条件；偏心的辩护
A partial excuse.
借口：偏心的借口