Modulate
Origin
From Latin modulatus, past participle of modulari ("to measure, regulate, modulate"), from modulus ("measure"); see modulus. Compare module. Surface etymology: module + -ate
Full definition of modulate
Verb
- (transitive) To regulate, adjust or adapt
- (transitive) To change the pitch, intensity or tone of one's voice or of a musical instrument
- (transitive, electronics) to vary the amplitude, frequency or phase of a carrier wave in proportion to the amplitude etc of a source wave (such as speech or music)
- (intransitive, music) to move from one key or tonality to another, especially by using a chord progression