COMMUTATION

commutation (kom-y[schwa]-tay-sh[schwa]n), n. 1. An exchange or replacement. 2. Criminal law. The executive’s substitution in a particular case of a less severe punishment for a more severe one that has already been judicially imposed on the defendant. Cf. PARDON; REPRIEVE. [Cases: Pardon and Parole 28. C.J.S. Pardon and Parole §§ 4, 34–41.] 3. Commercial & […]