modulate

Etymology

From Latin modulatus, past participle of modulari (“to measure, regulate, modulate”), from modulus (“measure”); see modulus. Compare module. Surface etymology: module + -ate.

verb

1. (transitive) To regulate, adjust or adapt
2. (transitive) To change the pitch, intensity or tone of one's voice or of a musical instrument
3. (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)
4. (intransitive, music) to move from one key or tonality to another, especially by using a chord progression