substitution

noun

The act or an instance of substituting.

noun

The state of being substituted.

noun

One that is substituted; a replacement.

noun

In biology: The assumption by one organ of a function which was at one time performed by another organ. Thus the swim-bladder in fishes shows “that an organ originally constructed for one purpose, namely, notation, may be converted into one for a wholly different purpose, namely respiration.”

noun

The acquisition by an organ of a secondary function which, at first performed incidentally, may gradually become the chief function if the primary function becomes useless or is performed by another organ. Thus “the little folds of skin which originally served as ovigerous frena, but which, like-wise, very slightly aided the act of respiration, have been gradually converted by natural selection into branchiæ, simply through an increase in their size and the obliteration of their adhesive glands.”

noun

In Scots law, a technical enumeration of a series of heirs.

noun

In civil law, the appointment, in a will, of a successor to a devisee or legatee; subrogation.

noun

The act of substituting, or putting (one person or thing) in the place of another; also, the state or fact of being substituted.

noun

The office of a substitute: delegated authority.