Origin: 1635–45; < NL succēdāneum, n. use of neut. sing. of L succēdāneus substituted, equiv. to suc-suc-+ cēd(ere) to come, go (see cede) + -āneus composite adj. suffix, equiv. to -ān(us) -an+ -eus-eous
"substitute," 1643, from L. neut. of succedaneus "succeeding, acting as substitute" (see succeed). Especially of inferior drugs substituted for better ones.