COMMUTATION • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Commutation

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/kˌɑmjətˈeɪʃən/ Listen

noun

Commutation n.

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."

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."

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."

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.

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.

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.

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Etymology of 'Commutation'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Commutation" Quotes from Famous Books

... thought that every man concerned in either of those proceedings deserved the gallows, and fancied he could perform the office of executioner. He therefore made less scruple to require a pecuniary commutation for those offences, but thought the proceeds should be carried to a public account. Monthault laughed at this suggestion, said that self-preservation was the soldier's motto, and begged he would only bring the sum total ...

— The Loyalists, Vol. 1-3 - An Historical Novel • Jane West

... down the whole expences of the Government of the country. But we had another resource—we might have relieved the East India Company, trading to China no longer as a monopolist, but as a joint stock company, from a part of the burden of the provisions of the Commutation Act. I cannot help thinking, if that course had been adopted—or even supposing, according to the calculations of my noble Friend behind me, we had been obliged to abandon that course, by desiring the East India ...

— Maxims And Opinions Of Field-Marshal His Grace The Duke Of Wellington, Selected From His Writings And Speeches During A Public Life Of More Than Half A Century • Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington

... conviction, for all offences (except in case of impeachment), upon such conditions as lie may think proper, subject to such regulations as may be provided by law relative to the manner of applying for pardons. He shall biennially communicate to the General Assembly each case of reprieve, commutation or pardon granted, stating the name of each convict, the crime for which he was convicted, the sentence and its date, the date of commutation, pardon or ...

— School History of North Carolina • John W. Moore

... heavily felt is the commutation tax. I shall therefore offer a plan for its abolition, by substituting another in its place, which will effect three objects at once: 1, that of removing the burthen to where it can best be borne; 2, restoring justice among families by a distribution ...

— The Writings Of Thomas Paine, Complete - With Index to Volumes I - IV • Thomas Paine

... well, for it was one in which Holmes had taken an interest on account of the peculiar ferocity of the crime and the wanton brutality which had marked all the actions of the assassin. The commutation of his death sentence had been due to some doubts as to his complete sanity, so atrocious was his conduct. Our wagonette had topped a rise and in front of us rose the huge expanse of the moor, mottled with gnarled and craggy cairns and tors. A cold ...

— The Hound of the Baskervilles • A. Conan Doyle

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