English
modulate
Modulate comes from English modulus ‘measure’, and goes back to Proto-Indo-European *med-.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*med-‘to measure’root as named
- English1500–presentmodulus‘measure’
- Englishearliest quotation 1980modulate
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*med-‘to measure’root as named
- English1500–presentmodulus‘measure’
- Englishearliest quotation 1980modulate
Earliest quotation: 1980, Andrea Loewenstein, Random Lust: “Can you tell?" she asked, in a trembling but…”
Formed from modulor ‘to measure, regulate, modulate’ + -ate
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *med- ‘to measure’
must, medical, medicine, model, modern, mode, mud, medication, mood, med, remedy, meditation, mold, medicinal, medic, modification, blackmail, mould, meditate, modal, modicum, modus, mete, mote, modifiable, 35 more
Today it means
verb To change the pitch, intensity or tone of one's voice or of a musical instrument.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *med- / modulate