With or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances

Question

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apology
[...]

apology, apologia, excuse, plea, pretext, alibi mean matter offered in explanation or defense. apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances<said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could>. apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position <his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy>. excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure <used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting>. plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy <her usual plea that she was nearsighted>. pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation <used any pretext to get out of work>. alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation<his alibi failed to stand scrutiny>.
[M-W's Col. Dic.]

I'm having problem understanding the bold parts. So, please help.

"with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances", 'mitigate', 'extenuate' mean to relieve, lessen, and here 'circumstances' mean state of affairs. What does the part mean in the above setting?

"and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation", 'impute' means to attribute, ascribe. What does the phrase mean in the context?

Deborah_d · Accepted Answer

'mitigating or extenuating circumstances' is where there are facts that could make someone less to blame for what they do. So if someone attacks a man, he would be have committed a crime - but a mitigating or extenuating circumstance may be that the man attacked them first, that they may be mentally ill, etc etc

'imputes … [etc etc]' means that an 'alibi' only implies that the person explained where they were when the crime occurred and that it was plausible (i.e. could be believed). So if a murder occurs, and someone gives an alibi that they were at home with their friend, it only means that the story could - technically - be true. It's an explanation that could be true. It doesn't mean that the police, etc, think that it is true, or that it can't be proved false.

Hope this helps!

Avangi · Answer

I think the gist of it is that an apology is not intended to admit guilt or to claim innocence, but to explain your actions.
In doing so, you may or may not cite mitigating or extenuating circumstances, as you choose.

This is in contrast to an alibi, which would be insincere by comparison.
alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment

When we use the word "alibi," we often imply that we don't believe it. ("That was just his alibi.")

("Imputes" is a tricky word.)

Edit. I think D D has it right in explaining that the alibi offers plausibility without real proof.

It's like when a politician gets caught doing something he can't admit to, his aids have to give him "deniability."

Jackson6612 · Answer

Hi Deborah

deborah_dSo if someone attacks a man, he would be have committed a crime

I think I've never seen this structure before. Either it's a typo, or it's time to learn something new.

I hope you won't mind my asking. Were you taking an oath somewhere when that profile picture was taken?!

Best wishes
Jack

Deborah_d · Answer

Urgh - typo! Sorry, it's late here … This late on a Friday, I'm no longer responsible for my actions

I see what you mean about the oath - I hadn't realised my hand was in the pic. No - I was holding a glass of red wine - and drinking it!

Jackson6612 · Answer

I understand it now. Thank you, Deborah, Avangi.

That's a nice picture and perhaps that's the reason I noticed your hand.

With or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances

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