Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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.