modulate [moj-uh-leyt] SynonymsExamplesWord Origin verb (used with object), mod·u·lat·ed, mod·u·lat·ing.
- to regulate by or adjust to a certain measure or proportion; soften; tone down.
- to alter or adapt (the voice) according to the circumstances, one’s listener, etc.
- Music.
- to attune to a certain pitch or key.
- to vary the volume of (tone).
- 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.
verb (used without object), mod·u·lat·ed, mod·u·lat·ing.
- Telecommunications.
- to modulate a carrier wave.
- Citizens Band Radio Slang.to talk; visit: Enjoyed modulating with you.
- Music. to pass from one key to another: to modulate abruptly from A to B flat.
Origin of modulate 1550–60; Latin modulātus (past participle of modulārī to regulate (sounds), set to music, play an instrument). See module, -ate1 Related formsmod·u·la·bil·i·ty [moj-uh-luh-bil-i-tee] /ˌmɒdʒ ə ləˈbɪl ɪ ti/, nounmod·u·la·tive, mod·u·la·to·ry [moj-uh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ˈmɒdʒ ə ləˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectivere·mod·u·late, verb (used with object), re·mod·u·lat·ed, re·mod·u·lat·ing.un·mod·u·lat·ed, adjectiveun·mod·u·la·tive, adjectivewell-mod·u·lat·ed, adjectiveSynonyms for modulate 2. temper, control. Examples from the Web for well-modulated Historical Examples of well-modulated
“I want to see the manager,” said the woman in a well-modulated voice.
Mary Louise and Josie O’Gorman
Emma Speed Sampson
“Pardon me for interrupting you, Mr. Macdonald,” he said in well-modulated tones.
William Murray Graydon
He found the place and began to read in a resonant, well-modulated voice.
Rebecca N. Porter
He speaks in well-modulated tones, the accents nasal and decided.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist
Alexander Berkman
The suave and well-modulated voice of Mr. Hotchkiss rang in his ears.
Joel Chandler Harris
British Dictionary definitions for well-modulated modulate verb
- (tr) to change the tone, pitch, or volume of
- (tr) to adjust or regulate the degree of
- music
- to subject to or undergo modulation in music
- (often foll by to)to make or become in tune (with a pitch, key, etc)
- (tr) physics electronics to cause to vary by a process of modulation
Derived Formsmodulability (ˌmɒdjʊləˈbɪlɪtɪ), nounmodulative or modulatory, adjectivemodulator, nounWord Origin for modulate C16: from Latin modulātus in due measure, melodious, from modulārī to regulate, from modus measure Word Origin and History for well-modulated modulate v.
1610s, in music, back-formation from modulation, or else from Latin modulatus, past participle of modulari. General sense from 1620s. In telecommunications from 1908. Related: Modulated; modulating.
well-modulated in Science modulate [mŏj′ə-lāt′]
- To vary the amplitude, frequency, or some other characteristic of a signal or power source. See also amplitude modulation frequency modulation.