Modulate \Mod"u*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Modulated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Modulating}.] [L. modulatus, p. p. of modulari to measure, to modulate, fr. modulus a small measure, meter, melody, dim. of modus. See {Mode}.] 1. To form, as sound, to a certain key, or to a certain portion.
2. To vary or inflect in a natural, customary, or musical manner; as, the organs of speech modulate the voice in reading or speaking.
Could any person so modulate her voice as to deceive so many? --Broome.
3. (Electronics) To alter the amplitude, frequency, phase, or intensity of (the carrier wave of a radio signal) at intervals, so as to represent information to be conveyed by the signal; -- a technique used to convey information by means of radio waves transmitted by one electronic device and received by another. [WordNet 1.5]
Modulate \Mod"u*late\, v. i. (Mus.) To pass from one key into another.
Under such a system, Congress could modulate programs without having to review all the formulas or predict how many claims would be made.
The chords modulate, but there is little filigree even though his fingers begin to wander over more of the keys.