Where does “modulation” come from?

Modulation comes from Middle French modulation, from Latin modulatio, a noun formation from Latin modulus, meaning a small measure or mode, ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European med-, a root relating to measurement.

modulation (English): The process of applying a signal to a carrier;...

Definitions

  1. The process of applying a signal to a carrier;...

Ancestry of “modulation”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Frenchmodulation
2Latinmodulatioa regular measure, rhythmical measure,...
3Latinmodulatusmeasured
4LatinmodulorI measure; I regulate; I beat time
5Latinmodulusa small measure or interval; a module; a water...
6Latin-ulusUsed to form a diminutive of a noun, indicating...
7Proto-Italic-olos
8Proto-Italic-elosForms desubstantival and deadjectival diminutive nouns
9Proto-Indo-European-e-lós
10Proto-Indo-European-lósForms agent nouns from verbal roots

Words derived from “modulation

Every word from Proto-Indo-European -lósEvery word from Latin -ulusEvery word from Latin modulus