phase

[ feyz ]

/ feɪz /

noun

any of the major appearances or aspects in which a thing of varying modes or conditions manifests itself to the eye or mind.

a stage in a process of change or development: Each phase of life brings its own joys.

a side, aspect, or point of view: This is only one phase of the question.

a state of synchronous operation: to put two mechanisms in phase.

Astronomy.

the particular appearance presented by the moon or a planet at a given time.
one of the recurring appearances or states of the moon or a planet in respect to the form, or the absence, of its illuminated disk: the phases of the moon.

Zoology. color phase.

Chemistry. a mechanically separate, homogeneous part of a heterogeneous system: the solid, liquid, and gaseous phases of a system.

Physics. a particular stage or point of advancement in a cycle; the fractional part of the period through which the time has advanced, measured from some arbitrary origin often expressed as an angle (phase angle), the entire period being taken as 360°.

verb (used with object), phased, phas·ing.

to schedule or order so as to be available when or as needed.

to put in phase; synchronize: to phase one mechanism with another.

Verb Phrases

phase down, to reduce by gradual stages.

phase in, to put or come into use gradually; incorporate by degrees: to phase in new machinery.

phase out, to bring or come to an end gradually; ease out of service: to phase out obsolescent machinery.

Origin of phase

1805–15; (noun) back formation from phases, plural of phasis

SYNONYMS FOR phase

1 form, shape; facet, side.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR phase ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM phase

phase·less, adjective pha·sic, pha·se·al, adjective re·phase, verb (used with object) re·phased, re·phas·ing. sub·phase, noun

un·phased, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH phase

faze phase

Words nearby phase

pharyngospasm, pharyngostenosis, pharyngotomy, pharynx, phascogale, phase, phase angle, phase contrast microscope, phase diagram, phase i block, phase ii block

Example sentences from the Web for phase

The families announced along with it that they had entered a “phase of silence” surrounding the details of the new deal.

A Sunni-Shia Love Story Imperiled by al Qaeda |Ruth Michaelson |December 26, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
We have entered the “anything goes” phase of religious exemptions.

Catholic Church: Religious Freedom Trumps Civil Rights |Jay Michaelson |November 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Instead, astronomers hope to observe planet formation in all its stages, each marking a phase in star and planet birth.

The Most Stunning View Ever of Planets Being Born |Matthew R. Francis |November 9, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
And it was also during the phase of the higher autobiography.

Martin Amis Talks About Nazis, Novels, and Cute Babies |Ronald K. Fried |October 9, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

If you followed such things at the time, perhaps the phrase “Phase II report” will snap a synapse or two.

Dole, Nazis, and Desperation in Kansas |Michael Tomasky |September 26, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
It will win artists to a phase of the sublime in America which they have overlooked.

The Book of the National Parks |Robert Sterling Yard
As she enlarged upon this phase of her life Victor was appalled by it.

Victor Ollnee's Discipline |Hamlin Garland
Every phase of each stage in the soul's history is disclosed to view by means of double and single doors.

Notes and Queries, Number 192, July 2, 1853 |Various
There can be little doubt as to which phase should be chosen.

A Study of Recent Earthquakes |Charles Davison
There is no phase of the business with which Mr. Young is not thoroughly familiar.

Lyman's History of old Walla Walla County, Vol. 2 (of 2) |William Denison Lyman

British Dictionary definitions for phase

phase

/ (feɪz) /

noun

any distinct or characteristic period or stage in a sequence of events or chain of development there were two phases to the resolution; his immaturity was a passing phase

astronomy one of the recurring shapes of the portion of the moon or an inferior planet illuminated by the sun the new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter are the four principal phases of the moon

physics

the fraction of a cycle of a periodic quantity that has been completed at a specific reference time, expressed as an angle
(as modifier)a phase shift

physics a particular stage in a periodic process or phenomenon

in phase (of two waveforms) reaching corresponding phases at the same time

out of phase (of two waveforms) not in phase

chem a distinct state of matter characterized by homogeneous composition and properties and the possession of a clearly defined boundary

zoology a variation in the normal form of an animal, esp a colour variation, brought about by seasonal or geographical change

biology (usually in combination) a stage in mitosis or meiosis prophase; metaphase

electrical engineering one of the circuits in a system in which there are two or more alternating voltages displaced by equal amounts in phase (sense 5) See also polyphase (def. 1)

(in systemic grammar) the type of correspondence that exists between the predicators in a clause that has two or more predicators; for example connection by to, as in I managed to do it, or -ing, as in we heard him singing

verb (tr)

(often passive) to execute, arrange, or introduce gradually or in stages a phased withdrawal

(sometimes foll by with) to cause (a part, process, etc) to function or coincide with (another part, process, etc) he tried to phase the intake and output of the machine; he phased the intake with the output

mainly US to arrange (processes, goods, etc) to be supplied or executed when required

Derived forms of phase

phaseless, adjective phasic or phaseal, adjective

Word Origin for phase

C19: from New Latin phases, pl of phasis, from Greek: aspect; related to Greek phainein to show

Medical definitions for phase

phase

[ fāz ]

n.

A characteristic form, appearance, or stage of development that occurs in a cycle or that distinguishes some individuals of a group.

A discrete homogeneous part of a material system that is mechanically separable from the rest, as is ice from water.

Any of the forms or states, solid, liquid, gas, or plasma, in which matter can exist, depending on temperature and pressure.

A particular stage in a periodic process or phenomenon such as a wave form or time pattern.

v.

To introduce, one stage at a time.

Scientific definitions for phase

phase

[ fāz ]

Any of the forms, recurring in cycles, in which the Moon or a planet appears in the sky.

One of a set of possible homogenous, discrete states of a physical system. States of matter such as solid and liquid are examples of phases, as are different crystal lattice structures in metals such as iron. See also phase transition state of matter.

A measure of how far some cyclic behavior, such as wave motion, has proceeded through its cycle, measured in degrees or radians. At the beginning of the phase, its value is zero; at one quarter of its cycle, its phase is 90 degrees (π/2 radians); halfway through the cycle its value is 180 degrees (π radians), and so on.♦ The phase angle between two waves is a measure of their difference in phase. Two waves of the same frequency that are perfectly in phase have phase angle zero; if one wave is ahead of the other by a quarter cycle, its phase angle 90 degrees (π/2 radians); waves that are perfectly out of phase have phase angle 180 degrees (π radians), and so on. See more at wave.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

phase

noun

verb (used with object), phased, phas·ing.

Verb Phrases

Origin of phase

SYNONYMS FOR phase

OTHER WORDS FROM phase

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH phase

Words nearby phase

Example sentences from the Web for phase

British Dictionary definitions for phase

noun

verb (tr)

Derived forms of phase

Word Origin for phase

Medical definitions for phase

n.

v.

Scientific definitions for phase

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

phase

noun

verb (used with object), phased, phas·ing.

Verb Phrases

Origin of phase

SYNONYMS FOR phase

OTHER WORDS FROM phase

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH phase

Words nearby phase

Words related to phase

Example sentences from the Web for phase

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for phase

noun

verb (tr)

Derived forms of phase

Word Origin for phase

Medical definitions for phase

n.

v.

Scientific definitions for phase

British Dictionary definitions for phase