I. ˈsəb-stə-ˌtüt, -ˌtyüt noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French substitut, from Latin substitutus, past participle of substituere to put in place of, from sub- + statuere to set up, place — more at statute
Date: 15th century
: a person or thing that takes the place or function of another
• substitute adjective
II. verb
( -tut·ed ; -tut·ing )
Date: circa 1594
transitive verb
1.
a. : to put or use in the place of another
b. : to introduce (an atom or group) as a substituent ; also : to alter (as a compound) by introduction of a substituent
a substituted benzene ring
2. : to take the place of : replace
intransitive verb
: to serve as a substitute