Mod"i*fi*cate (?), v. t. [See Modify.] To qualify. [Obs.] Bp. Pearson.
Mod`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [L. modificatio a measuring: cf. F.
modification. See Modify.] The act of modifying, or the state of being
modified; a modified form or condition; state as modified; a change;
as, the modification of an opinion, or of a machine; the various
modifications of light. Bentley.
Mod"i*fi*ca*tive (?), n. That which modifies or qualifies, as a word or
clause.
Mod"i*fi*ca`to*ry (?), a. Tending or serving to modify; modifying. Max
Müller.
Mod"i*fi`er (?), n. One who, or that which, modifies. Hume.
Mod"i*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Modified (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Modifying (?).] [F. modifier, L. modificare, modificari; modus limit +
-ficare (in comp.) to make. See Mode, and -fy.] 1. To change somewhat
the form or qualities of; to alter somewhat; as, to modify a
contrivance adapted to some mechanical purpose; to modify the terms of
a contract.
2. To limit or reduce in extent or degree; to moderate; to qualify; to
lower.
Of his grace He modifies his first severe decree.
Dryden.
Mo*dil"lion (?), n. [F. modillon, It. modiglione. Cf. Module, n.]
(Arch.) The enriched block or horizontal bracket generally found under
the cornice of the Corinthian and Composite entablature, and sometimes,
less ornamented, in the Ionic and other orders; -- so called because of
its arrangement at regulated distances.
Mo*di"o*lar (?), a. [L. modiolus, dim. of modius the Roman corn
measure.] Shaped like a bushel measure.
||Mo*di"o*lus (?), n.; pl. Modioli (#). [L., a small measure.] (Anat.)
||The central column in the osseous cochlea of the ear.
Mod"ish (?), a. According to the mode, or customary manner; conformed
to the fashion; fashionable; hence, conventional; as, a modish dress; a
modish feast. Dryden. "Modish forms of address." Barrow.
-- Mod"ish*ly, adv. -- Mod"ish*ness, n.
Mod"ist (?), n. One who follows the fashion.
||Mo`diste" (?), n. [F. See Mode, and cf. Modist.] A female maker of,
||or dealer in, articles of fashion, especially of the fashionable
||dress of ladies; a woman who gives direction to the style or mode of
||dress.
||Mo"di*us (?), n.; pl. Modii (#). [L.] (Rom. Antiq.) A dry measure,
||containing about a peck.
Mo"docs (?), n. pl.; sing. Modoc (&?;). (Ethnol.) A tribe of warlike
Indians formerly inhabiting Northern California. They are nearly
extinct.
Mod"u*lar (?), a. Of or pertaining to mode, modulation, module, or
modius; as, modular arrangement; modular accent; modular measure.
Mod"u*late (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Modulated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Modulating (?).] [L. modulatus, p. p. of modulari to measure, to
modulate, fr. modulus a small measure, meter, melody, dim. of modus.
See Mode.] 1. To form, as sound, to a certain key, or to a certain
portion.
2. To vary or inflect in a natural, customary, or musical manner; as,
the organs of speech modulate the voice in reading or speaking.
Could any person so modulate her voice as to deceive so many?
Broome.
Mod"u*late, v. i. (Mus.) To pass from one key into another.
Mod`u*la"tion (?), n. [L. modulatio: cf. F. modulation.] 1. The act of
modulating, or the state of being modulated; as, the modulation of the
voice.