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

But it also presented an opportunity for Nelson to right a wrong, given that history has often depicted Ono as encroaching on Berry’s performance with her husband, especially when she engages in avant-garde voice modulation during “Memphis, Tennessee.”

From Salon

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

"We believe that a better understanding of the odor coding mechanisms in the primary olfactory center of the locust brain will significantly deepen our knowledge of the neuronal modulation underlying olfaction-mediated behaviors, such as the formation of locust swarms," says Bill Hansson.

From Science Daily

"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