commutation

com·mu·ta·tion  (kmy-tshn)

n.

1. A substitution, exchange, or interchange.

2.

a. The substitution of one kind of payment for another.

b. The payment substituted.

3. The travel of a commuter.

4. Electricity

a. Conversion of alternating to unidirectional current.

b. Reversal of current direction.

5. Law Reduction of a penalty to a less severe one.

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[Middle English commutacioun, from Latin commtti, commttin-, from commttus, past participle of commtre, to alter, exchange; see commute.]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	commutation - the travel of a commuter commuting travel, traveling, travelling - the act of going from one place to another; "he enjoyed selling but he hated the travel"
	2.	commutation - a warrant substituting a lesser punishment for a greater one warrant - a writ from a court commanding police to perform specified acts law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order"
	3.	commutation - (law) the reduction in severity of a punishment imposed by law re-sentencing mercy, clemency, mercifulness - leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice; "he threw himself on the mercy of the court" law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order"
	4.	commutation - 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" substitution, exchange change - the action of changing something; "the change of government had no impact on the economy"; "his change on abortion cost him the election" replacement, replacing - the act of furnishing an equivalent person or thing in the place of another; "replacing the star will not be easy" subrogation - (law) the act of substituting of one creditor for another weaning, ablactation - the act of substituting other food for the mother's milk in the diet of a child or young mammal