v.
Pronunciation: ' mä-j ə - ˌ l ā t
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -lat · ed ; -lat · ing
Etymology: Latin modulatus, past participle of modulari to play, singular, 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 beam
intransitive 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 \ - ˌ l ā -t ə r \ noun
– mod · u · la · to · ry \ -l ə - ˌ t ō r- ē , - ˌ to ̇ r- \ adjective