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modulation

 - 5 dictionary results

mod⋅u⋅la⋅tion

  [moj-uh-ley-shuhn, mod-yuh-]
Use modulation in a Sentence
–noun
1. the act of modulating.
2. the state of being modulated.
3. Music. transition from one key to another.
4. Grammar.
a. the use of a particular distribution of stress or pitch in a construction, as the use of rising pitch on here in John is here?
b. the feature of a construction resulting from such use.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L modulātiōn- (s. of modulātiō) rhythmical measure. See modulate, -ion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To modulation
mod·u·la·tion   (mŏj'ə-lā'shən)   
n.  

  1. The act or process of modulating.

  2. The state of being modulated.

  3. Music

    1. A passing or transition from one key or tonality to another.

    2. The result of such a transition.

    3. A change in stress, pitch, loudness, or tone of the voice; an inflection of the voice.

    4. An instance of such a change or an inflection.

    1. A change in stress, pitch, loudness, or tone of the voice; an inflection of the voice.

    2. An instance of such a change or an inflection.

  5. The harmonious use of language, as in poetry or prose.

  6. Electronics The variation of a property of an electromagnetic wave or signal, such as its amplitude, frequency, or phase.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

modulation 
1398, "act of singing or making music," from O.Fr. modulation "act of making music," from L. modulationem (nom. modulatio) "rhythmical measure, singing and playing, melody," from modulatus, pp. of modulari "regulate, measure off properly," from modulus (see module). Meaning "act of regulating according to measure or proportion" is from 1531. Musical sense of "action of process of changing key" is first recorded 1696.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: mod·u·la·tion
Pronunciation: "mäj-&-'lA-sh&n
Function: noun
1 : the act or process of modulating
2 : a reversible change in histological structure due to physiological factors
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

modulation mod·u·la·tion (mŏj'ə-lā'shən)
n.

  1. The functional and morphological fluctuation of cells in response to changing environmental conditions.

  2. The variation of a property in an electromagnetic wave or signal, such as amplitude, frequency, or phase.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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