See Also: Modulation(medicine)
modulation(dictionary)
modulation(encyclopedia)
antigenic modulation(medicine)
modulation transfer function(medicine)
Modulation transfer function(health)

modulation (iou)



modulation noun. LME.
[Latin modulatio(n-), formed as MODULATE: see -ATION.]
Singing, making music; a tune; in pl., notes, sounds. Now rare. LME.
The action of modulating something appropriately; variation of line, form, etc., with regard to artistic effect; a tempering or toning down. Formerly also, rhythmical movement. M16.
The action of inflecting the voice or an instrument musically; variation of tone or pitch; a particular inflection or intonation. M16.
Architecture. The proportioning or regulating of the parts of an order by the module. M17.
Music.
a. The action or process of passing from one key to another in the course of a piece; (a) change of key. L17.
b. Composition, performance, or arrangement in a particular mode or key. Also, a chord or succession of notes. Only in 18.
c. Hist. Any of certain notes in each church mode, on which a phrase of melody had to begin and end. L19.
Melodious literary composition; harmonious treatment of language. M18.
The process of modulating a wave or beam, esp. in order to impress a signal on it; the extent to which a modulated carrier wave is varied; a waveform or signal so impressed. E20.
AMPLITUDE modulation. FREQUENCY modulation.
b. gen. The process of exerting a controlling or modifying influence on a physical property or phenomenon. M20.
Biology. Reversible variation in the activity or form of a cell in response to a changing environment. M20.
Comb.: modulation frequency the frequency of a wave used to modulate another wave; modulation index a coefficient representing the degree of modulation of a carrier wave; spec. the ratio of the difference between the maximum and minimum frequencies of a frequency-modulated carrier to the frequency of the modulating signal.