動詞 modulate:

1. change the key of, in music
2. vary the pitch of one's speech
   同義詞：tone, inflect
3. fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of
   同義詞：regulate
4. adjust the pitch, tone, or volume of
5. vary the frequency, amplitude, phase, or other characteristic of (electromagnetic waves)

1. Music students learn how to add other parts to add other parts to a given tune, and how to modulate to a related key.
   音樂學生學習給一個現(xiàn)有的調(diào)子配上其他音部，還要學習怎樣轉(zhuǎn)成和聲調(diào)。
2. A device used to modulate an electromagnetic wave.
   調(diào)制器用以調(diào)制電磁波的裝置

mod.u.late

v.（動詞）
mod.u.lat.ed,mod.u.lat.ing,mod.u.lates
v.tr.（及物動詞）
To adjust or adapt to a certain proportion; regulate or temper.
調(diào)衡：調(diào)整或使適應一定的比率；調(diào)節(jié)或緩和
To change or vary the pitch, intensity, or tone of (one`s voice or a musical instrument, for example).
調(diào)整，改變音量：改變或變換如嗓音或音樂裝置的音高，強度，或音調(diào)
Electronics
【電子學】
To vary the frequency, amplitude, phase, or other characteristic of (electromagnetic waves).
調(diào)制：變換（電磁波的）頻率，振幅，周相或其它特點
To vary (electron velocity) in an electron beam.
調(diào)制：在一個電子束中改變（電子速率）
v.intr.Music （不及物動詞）【音樂】
To pass from one key or tonality to another by means of a regular melodic or chord progression.
調(diào)節(jié)：通過和諧的旋律或合弦的相繼進行的方式從一個基調(diào)或音調(diào)過到另一基調(diào)或音調(diào)
To sing or play with modulation.
變調(diào)：用轉(zhuǎn)調(diào)演唱或演奏

來源：
Latin modul3ro, modul3t- [to measure off, to regulate]
拉丁語 modul3ro, modul3t- [區(qū)分，調(diào)節(jié)]
from modulus [diminutive of] modus [measure] * see med-
源自 modulus [] modus的小后綴 [測量] *參見 med-

【引伸】
mod.ulabil.ity
n.（名詞）
mod.ula.tive 或
mod.ulato.ry