Main Entry: mod·u·late

Pronunciation: \ˈmä-jə-ˌlāt\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): mod·u·lat·ed; mod·u·lat·ing

Etymology: Latin modulatus, past participle of modulari to play, sing, from modulus small measure, rhythm, diminutive of modus measure — more at mete

Date: 1615

transitive verb 1 : to tune to a key or pitch
2 : to adjust to or keep in proper measure or proportion : temper
3 : to vary the amplitude, frequency, or phase of (a carrier wave or a light wave) for the transmission of information (as by radio); also : to vary the velocity of electrons in an electron beamintransitive verb 1 : to play or sing with modulation
2 : to pass from one musical key into another by means of intermediary chords or notes that have some relation to both keys
3 : to pass gradually from one state to another

— mod·u·la·tor \-ˌlā-tər\ noun

— mod·u·la·to·ry \-lə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr-\ adjective