phase

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   (astronomy) the particular appearance of a body's state of illumination (especially one of the recurring shapes of the part of Earth's moon that is illuminated by the sun)

   the full phase of the moon

2. 2
   noun

   (physical chemistry) a distinct state of matter in a system

   matter that is identical in chemical composition and physical state and separated from other material by the phase boundary

3. 3
   verb

   adjust so as to be in a synchronized condition

   We phased the intake with the output of the machine.

4. 4
   verb

   arrange in phases or stages

   phase a withdrawal

5. 5
   noun

   A distinguishable part of a sequence or cycle occurring over time.

   1934, Ernest Bramah, The Bravo of London It would have been a simple enough move to warn the firm, but Max Carrados's interest lay in the phase of crime rather than in forestalling it, and on that score he had little tangible as yet […]

6. 6
   noun

   Any appearance or aspect of an object of mental apprehension or view.

   The problem has many phases.

7. 7
   noun

   A particular appearance or state in a regularly recurring cycle of changes with respect to quantity of illumination or form, or the absence, of a body's illuminated disk. Illustrated in Wikipedia's article Lunar phase.

   the phases of the moon

8. 8
   noun

   The period of play between consecutive breakdowns.

   When Romania did manage to string together some phases midway through the first half, England's discipline held firm, although on the whole it was a less focused display from the Six Nations champions in the second half.

Etymology

From New Latin phasis, from Ancient Greek φάσις (phásis, “an appearance”), from φαίνω (phaínō, “to cause to appear”); compare phantasm and see face.