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 • substituteadjective
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