GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Commute , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Commuted; p. pr. & vb. n. Commuting.] [L. commutare, -mutatum; com- + mutare to change. See Mutation.]
    To exchange; to put or substitute something else in place of, as a smaller penalty, obligation, or payment, for a greater, or a single thing for an aggregate; hence, to lessen; to diminish; as, to commute a sentence of death to one of imprisonment for life; to commute tithes; to commute charges for fares.
   1913 Webster
   The sounds water and fire, being once annexed to those two elements, it was certainly more natural to call beings participating of the first “watery”, and the last “fiery”, than to commute the terms, and call them by the reverse.
   J. Harris
   
   1913 Webster
   The utmost that could be obtained was that her sentence should be commuted from burning to beheading.
   Macaulay.
   
   1913 Webster
   
         
       

2.       
   Commute, v. i.
   To obtain or bargain for exemption or substitution; to effect a commutation.
   1913 Webster
   He . . . thinks it unlawful to commute, and that he is bound to pay his vow in kind.
   Jer. Taylor.
   
   1913 Webster
   To pay, or arrange to pay, in gross instead of part by part; as, to commute for a year's travel over a route.
   1913 Webster
   to travel regularly from a place of residence to another place, such as where one's daily work is performed. Often, such travel is performed between a suburb and a nearby city; as, to commute to work.
   PJC