modulation

[ moj-uh-ley-shuhn, mod-yuh- ]

noun

1. the act of modulating.
2. the state of being modulated.
3. Music. transition from one key to another.
4. Grammar.
   1. 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?
   2. the feature of a construction resulting from such use.

Word History and Origins

Origin of modulation¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin modulātiōn- (stem of modulātiō ) rhythmical measure. See modulate, -ion

Example Sentences

The six-episode final run of “The Conners” is expected to debut midseason, and though its audience was modest, the series' modulation from partisan pandering to grounded storytelling carried it through seven seasons.

From Salon

Cuarón wrote one screenplay with more than 300 pages, and later divided that into chapters based on the piece’s dramatic modulations.

From Los Angeles Times

Prinzhorn suggested that audiences responded to Hitler’s rhetorical devices — volume, rhythm, modulation, repetition — emotionally rather than rationally, which rendered him impervious to attack by political opponents.

From Salon

"Targeted modulation of synaptic lipid signals using autotaxin inhibitors that can reach the brain could open up possibilities to treat mental disorders," concluded Professor Nitsch.

From Science Daily

It has been well documented that a song's volume, or loudness, over time -- what's known as "amplitude modulation" -- is relatively steady at 1-2 Hz.

From Science Daily