from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
modulator-demodulator \mod"u*la`tor-de`mod"u*la`tor\, 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]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
modem \mo"dem\ (m[=o]"d[e^]m), n. [by shortening from
modulator-demodulator.]
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; also called {modulator-demodulator}; as, the
latest modems can transmit data at 56,000 baud over a clear
telephone line. The speed of transmission of information by a
modem is usually measured in units of {baud}, equivalent to
bits per second.
[PJC]