n. (Electronics) An electronic device which extracts the modulation from a radio carrier wave, and outputs the original information-bearing signal.
Syn. -- detector. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] One who, or that which, modulates. Denham. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An electronic device that converts electronic signals into sound waves, and sound waves into electronic signals, used to transmit information between computers by the use of ordinary telephone lines; usually called a modem. [ PJC ]