'Commutation' definitions:

Definition of 'commutation'

From: WordNet
noun
The travel of a commuter [syn: commutation, commuting]
noun
A warrant substituting a lesser punishment for a greater one
noun
(law) the reduction in severity of a punishment imposed by law [syn: commutation, re-sentencing]
noun
The act of putting one thing or person in the place of another: "he sent Smith in for Jones but the substitution came too late to help" [syn: substitution, exchange, commutation]

Definition of 'Commutation'

From: GCIDE
  • Commutation \Com`mu*ta"tion\, n. [L. commutatio: cf. F. commutation.]
  • 1. A passing from one state to another; change; alteration; mutation. [R.] [1913 Webster]
  • So great is the commutation that the soul then hated only that which now only it loves. --South. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The act of giving one thing for another; barter; exchange. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • The use of money is . . . that of saving the commutation of more bulky commodities. --Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Law) The change of a penalty or punishment by the pardoning power of the State; as, the commutation of a sentence of death to banishment or imprisonment. [1913 Webster]
  • Suits are allowable in the spiritual courts for money agreed to be given as a commutation for penance. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. A substitution, as of a less thing for a greater, esp. a substitution of one form of payment for another, or one payment for many, or a specific sum of money for conditional payments or allowances; as, commutation of tithes; commutation of fares; commutation of copyright; commutation of rations. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. regular travel from a place of residence to a place where one's daily work is performed; commuting. Most often, such travel is performed between a suburb and a nearby city. [1913 Webster]
  • Angle of commutation (Astron.), the difference of the geocentric longitudes of the sun and a planet.
  • Commutation of tithes, the substitution of a regular payment, chargeable to the land, for the annual tithes in kind.
  • Commutation ticket, a ticket, as for transportation, which is the evidence of a contract for service at a reduced rate. See 2d Commute, 2. [1913 Webster]