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 verb1: to tune to a key or pitch2: to adjust to or keep in proper measure or proportion : temper3: 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 verb1: to play or sing with modulation2: to pass from one musical key into another by means of intermediary chords or notes that have some relation to both keys3: 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