extenuation
n. 减轻罪孽的借口; 酌情减轻; <古>细
1. a partial excuse to mitigate censure; an attempt to represent an offense as less serious than it appears by showing mitigating circumstances
2. to act in such a way as to cause an offense to seem less serious
Miss Glover could allow no extenuation of her crime.
格洛弗小姐是不允许袒护罪过的.
It was a comfort to him, this extenuation.
这借口对他是种安慰.
He pleaded circumstances in extenuation of his guilt.
他请求酌情减轻他的罪.
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.
Judge: Do you have anything to say in mitigation or extenuation before I pass sentence?
法官: 在我宣读判决书前,你想说点什么求饶之类的话 吗 ?