catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  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]

  Commutation \Com`mu*ta"tion\, n. [L. commutatio: cf. F.
     commutation.]
     1. A passing from one state to another; change; alteration;
        mutation. [R.]
  
              So great is the commutation that the soul then hated
              only that which now only it loves.    --South.
  
     2. The act of giving one thing for another; barter; exchange.
        [Obs.]
  
              The use of money is . . . that of saving the
              commutation of more bulky commodities. --Arbuthnot.
  
     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.
  
              Suits are allowable in the spiritual courts for
              money agreed to be given as a commutation for
              penance.                              --Blackstone.
  
     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.
  
     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.