-io

an action, process, or result

Forms

-io
-ion- — The longer form used before Latin endings.
-ion — The form carried into many English nouns.

Origin

An old Latin noun ending, inherited from earlier Indo-European word formation.

Note

The ending can name both an activity and what that activity produces.

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noun

modulation

mah-juh-LAY-shun/ˌmɑːdʒəˈleɪʃn/

A controlled variation in a signal's properties.

The waveform shows modulation of amplitude, growing stronger and then weaker.

A clean diagram of one continuous sound wave gradually increasing then decreasing amplitude, natural ink and blue wash, no arbitrary symbols.

Etymology

modulatLatinregulate, measure rhythmically

+ionLatinan action, process, or result

Measuring rhythmically connected regulation with music-making. The noun moved from singing and harmony to regulation by measure or proportion, providing the link to controlled changes in sound, signal, or intensity.

In context

Voice Over Body Shop26:41

we're using our indoor voice in our conversation and therefore you have to turn the gain much higher up in order to get the proper modulation

VOBS - Voice Over Body Shop -TECH-TALK #48

More examples

Amplitude modulation changes the strength of a carrier signal.
This modem uses phase modulation to transmit data.
The engineer adjusts the modulation depth to improve the signal.

Forms

modulation · modulations

modulate verb — To vary a signal's properties deliberately.

modulator noun — A device that varies a signal's properties.

Similar words

variation: Variation need not be controlled or used to transmit information.
adjustment: Adjustment may be a single change rather than ongoing variation.