subst

Noun

substitute (plural substitutes)

1. A replacement or stand-in for something that achieves a similar result or purpose.
   • Ladies [in William Shakespeare's age], again, universally wore masks as the sole substitute known to our ancestors for the modern parasol; a fact, perhaps, not generally known.1840 February, Thomas De Quincey, “Theory of Greek Tragedy”, in Leaders in Literature with a Notice of Traditional Errors Affecting Them (De Quincey’s Works; IX), London: James Hogg & Sons, →OCLC...

   Synonyms:

   substituend, surrogate

   Antonyms:

   substituend, substituendum

2. A substitute teacher.
3. A player who is available to replace another if the need arises, and who may or may not actually do so.
   • Dean Whitehead opened the scoring shortly after the break with a low finish and substitute Peter Crouch sealed the win with a tap-in.2011 November 3, David Ornstein, “Macc Tel-Aviv 1 - 2 Stoke”, in BBC Sport

   Synonyms:

   reserve

4. (historical) One who enlists for military service in the place of a conscript.

See all 9 meanings of substitute