Definition of substitute

The word "substitute" has its roots in Latin. It comes from the words "sub" meaning "under" and "stituo" meaning "to place". In Latin, the phrase "substituo" meant "to put under" or "to put in place of". This phrase was later adopted into Middle English as "substituen" or "substituern", and eventually evolved into the modern English word "substitute". The word initially meant "to put someone or something in the place of another". Over time, its meaning expanded to include the idea of replacing or temporarily filling in for something or someone. Today, a substitute is often used to refer to a person or thing that takes the place of another, such as a substitute teacher or a substitute limb. Despite its evolution, the word "substitute" still retains its roots in the Latin concept of "putting under" or "putting in place of".