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 ]

. A ticket for transportation at a reduced rate in consideration of some special circumstance, as increase of travel; specif., a ticket for a certain number of, or for daily, trips between neighboring places at a reduced rate, such as are commonly used by those doing business in a city and living in a suburb. Commutation tickets are excepted from the prohibition against special rates contained in the Interstate Commerce Act of Feb. 4, 1887 (24 Stat. 379), and in 145 U. S. 263 it was held that party tickets were also excepted as being “obviously within the commuting principle.” [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]