Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COM-MU-TA'TION, n. [L. commutatio. See Commute.]

1. Change; alteration; a passing from one state to another. – South.
2. Exchange; the act of giving one thing for another; barter. The uses of money is to save the commutation of more bulky commodities. – Arbuthnot.
3. In law, the change of a penalty or punishment from a greater to a less; as banishment instead of death. Suits are allowable in the spiritual courts for money agreed to be given as a commutation for penance. – Blackstone.