DictionaryRoot: -io
Latin

-io

an action, process, or result

Forms

  • -io
  • -ion- — The longer form used before Latin endings.
  • -ion — The form carried into many English nouns.

Origin

An old Latin noun ending, inherited from earlier Indo-European word formation.

Note

The ending can name both an activity and what that activity produces.

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noun

substitution

sub-stih-TOO-shun/ˌsʌbstɪˈtuːʃn/

The act or process of replacing one thing or person with another.

The substitution brings one soccer player onto the field as another leaves.

A soccer substitute in blue enters as another player in blue leaves at sideline, referee gestures exchange, no brands.
Etymology

“Under” and “set up” combined in a verb meaning “put in another’s place.” The action noun names that replacement process; an early English use concerned appointing a subordinate or successor.

In context

Law&Crime Network1:14
the authority to excuse a deliberating juror for quote good cause end quote uh and allow the uh remaining 11 jurors to return a valid verdict and or with the substitution of one of the jurors
BREAKING: Mistrial in Lindsay Clancy Case!

More examples

  • The coach makes a substitution late in the game.
  • No substitution is allowed without the instructor's approval.
  • The formula becomes simpler after one substitution.

Forms

substitution · substitutions

Similar words

replacement
Can name the new person or thing as well as the act of replacing.
exchange
An exchange can trade both ways; substitution places one thing in another’s role.