The regular travel between one's home and workplace, typically over a considerable distance. The gerund form of 'commute'.
From Latin 'commutare' meaning 'to change completely', from 'com-' (together) and 'mutare' (to change). Originally meant to exchange or substitute, later specifically applied to exchanging a prison sentence for a fine, then to regular travel.
The word 'commute' originally meant to exchange one thing for another - prisoners would 'commute' a death sentence to life imprisonment. The travel meaning emerged when people began exchanging time and money for the privilege of living far from work, fundamentally changing urban development patterns.
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