modulate

American  

[moj-uh-leyt] / ˈmɒdʒ əˌleɪt /

verb (used with object)

modulates, present (3rd person singular) modulated, past participle, past modulating present participle

1. to regulate by or adjust to a certain measure or proportion; soften; tone down.

2. to alter or adapt (the voice) according to the circumstances, one's listener, etc.

   Synonyms:

   control, temper

3. Music.

   1. to attune to a certain pitch or key.

   2. to vary the volume of (tone).

4. Telecommunications. to cause the amplitude, frequency, phase, or intensity of (a carrier wave) to vary in accordance with a sound wave or other signal, the frequency of the signal wave usually being very much lower than that of the carrier.

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verb (used without object)

modulates, present (3rd person singular) modulated, past participle, past modulating present participle

1. Telecommunications.

   1. to modulate a carrier wave.

   2. Citizens Band Radio Slang. to talk; visit.

      Enjoyed modulating with you.

2. Music. to pass from one key to another.

   to modulate abruptly from A to B flat.

modulate British  

/ ˈmɒdjʊˌleɪt, ˌmɒdjʊləˈbɪlɪtɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to change the tone, pitch, or volume of

2. (tr) to adjust or regulate the degree of

3. music

   1. to subject to or undergo modulation in music

   2. (often foll by to) to make or become in tune (with a pitch, key, etc)

4. (tr) physics electronics to cause to vary by a process of modulation

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modulate Scientific  

/ mŏj′ə-lāt′ /

1. To vary the amplitude, frequency, or some other characteristic of a signal or power source.

2. See also amplitude modulation frequency modulation

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• modulatory
  adjective
• modulability
  noun
• modulative
  adjective
• unmodulated
  adjective
• well-modulated
  adjective
• modulator
  noun
• remodulate
  verb (used with object)
• unmodulative
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have modulated
  perfect
• has modulated
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have been modulating
  perfect progressive
• has been modulating
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• modulates
  singular 3rd person
• is modulating
  progressive 3rd person singular
• am modulating
  progressive 1st person singular
• modulating
  participle
• are modulating
  progressive

Past

• had modulated
  perfect
• had been modulating
  perfect progressive
• was modulating
  progressive singular
• modulated
  simple
• were modulating
  progressive plural
• modulated
  participle

Future

• will modulate
  simple
• will have modulated
  perfect
• will have been modulating
  perfect progressive
• will be modulating
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of modulate

1550–60; < Latin modulātus (past participle of modulārī to regulate (sounds), set to music, play an instrument). See module, -ate ¹

Explanation

Is your friend's voice so high-pitched that people are starting to stare? Sweetly ask, "Can you modulate your voice, please? To modulate is to change the pitch of something. You can modulate things other than sound — it still refers to something that's being adjusted. Schools might modulate the number of students in the hallways at the same time by having each grade level start and end each at a different time. Traffic lights can modulate the number of cars that pass through an intersection in a certain interval. Computer modems modulate signals to allow computers to transfer information. In fact, modem gets its name from modulate/demodulate.

Related Words

• inflect