modulator (modulator)

[= F. modula teur = Sp. Pg. modulador = It. modulatore, What a variety of uses hath nature laid upon that one member, the tongue, the grand instrument of taste, the faithful judge, the centinel, the watchman of all our nourishment, the artful modulator of our voice! Derham, Physico-Theology, v. 5. modulus (mod'ū-lus), n. sure, dim. of modus, measure: see module, model.] 1. In math., a real positive number that serves as measure or parameter of a function or effect. Represented by M. or μ.-2. In physics, the measure of an effect under conditions whose measure is unity. Thus, a physical modulus is not a number, but a physical quantity.-3. [ cap.] In conch., a genus of gastropods, referred to the Littorinidæ or periwinkles, or made type of the family Modulida. The shell is depre ed and trochi form, with a deeply cut columellar tooth and many-whorled operculum. Absolute modulus of gravitation, the acceleration due to the gravitation of a body toward a ma of one gram at a distance of one centimeter. It amounts to 648 x 10-10 centimeters per second. - Angle of the modulus, in math., the angle of which the modulus is the sine. - Complementary modulus, in math., the cosine of the angle of the modulus. - Gravity-modulus in physics, a modulus of elasticity in which the weight of a unit ma is taken as the unit of force. - Length of modulus, in physics, a modulus of elasticity expre ed as a length by taking the weight of the unit volume of the material referred to as the unit of force. - Modulus of a congruence, in math., that measure or divisor which gives modulus x = αξ + δη + ες y = d + en + fs 2 = g + hn + is, then the modulus of transformation is a, b, c 2 d, e, f g, h, i Modulus of a machine, the ratio of the load to the power in equilibrium. - Modulus of a matrix, in math., the determinant of the matrix, this having the same constituents arranged in the same way. - Modulus of an elliptic integral, differential, or function, in math., that positive number le than unity the square of which multiplies the square of the sine of the amplitude or variable angle in the delta or square root which enters into the expre ion of such a quantity.- Modulus of an imaginary, in math., that real positive number which multiplied by a root of unity gives the imaginary. Modulus of a system of logarithms, in math. See logarithm. — Modulus of elasticity, in physics, in its general sense, the quantity of elasticity or the ratio of a stre to the strain that occasions it: but applied by older and le careful writers to Young's modulus (named after its inventor, Dr. Thomas Young, a celebrated English physicist (1778-1829)], which is the pre ure or tension on the end of a bar per unit of section divided by the compre ion or elongation per unit of length so produced. See elasticity. - Modulus of gravitation, in astron., the square root of the component acceleration due to gravitation of any body toward the sun at a distance equal to the mean distance of the earth. See abso lute modulus, above. - Modulus of propulsion. See the quotation. As 100 cubic inches of cylinder capacity are needed to move an engine with 20 tons adhesive weight one inch, if we divide 100 by 20 we will get the cylinder capacity needed for each ton. That is, 100+ 20 = 5 cubic in, cylinder capacity per ton (of 2,000 lbs.) of adhesive weight is needed to move any locomotive one inch. This quantity we have named the modulus of propulsion . above. Forney , Locomotive, p. 415. Quadratic modulus, in math . , the square of the determinant. Young's modulus. See modulus of elasticity , modus (mō'dus), n. [L. modus , manner, mode: see model .] 1. Manner; mode: same as model . We are not to hope that the modus of it should fall, or be comprehended, under human enquiry. Bacon, Physical Fables, viii., Expl. The same evangelical power did institute that calling, for the modus of whose election it took such particular Jer. Taylor , Works (ed. 1835), II. 164. order. 2. In Rom. and civil law, and early Eng. law, the manner or qualifying terms of a gift or disposition of property. The introduction of writing as the instrument of gift or transfer enabled donors to vary the customary legal consequences by expre ing an intent as to the manner or mode in which the act should have effect; and that part of the instrument which thus qualified what otherwise would have been the ordinary legal effect was termed the modus, and the same term was used to designate the legal qualification thus imposed. Hence, more specifically-(a) The clause in a will or other gift (and the legal obligation created thereby) by which the -donor charged an obligation upon the legatee or donee, not as a condition the breach of which would create a forfeiture, but as a personal obligation, which the legatee would a ume by accepting the gift. (b) Also, in early Eng. law, the clause in a conveyance enlarging or restricting the estate which otherwise would be granted by it, for instance by giving to the donee and his heirs, or his heirs and a igns, or by giving to the donee and only a specified cla of heirs. Hence the old common-law maxims modus et conventio vincunt legem and modus legem dat dona meaning specific qualification and expre agreement override the law, or give the law to the transfer. (c) In eccles. law, the exemption, or partial exemption, from the payment of tithes, termed modus dec i mandi and modus non dec i mandi respectively. One terrible circumstance of this bill is turning the tithe of flax and hemp into what the lawyers call a modus, or a certain sum in lieu of a tenth part of the product Swift A tithe furze had been lately intro ducth of turadite of fun and elsewhere been substituted for other tithes, were in this province [Munster) unknown. Lecky, Eng. in 18th Cent., xvi. Modus operand i, a plan or mode of working. - Modus ponens, in logic, inference from a hypothetical proposi the truth of the antecedent truth of the consequent: as, If I am bad, I deserve punishment; I am bad, hence I deserve punishment. - Modus tollens, in logic, the inference from a hypothetical proposition and the falsity of the consequent to the falsity of the antecedent: as, If I were to jump out of the window, I should break my neck; now I won't break my neck, hence I sha'n't jump out of the window. - Modus vivendi, a manner or way of living; a temporary arrangement pending a settlement of matters in debate, as between two nations.