PHASE
phase
(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”
phase, form
(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; “the reaction occurs in the liquid phase of the system”
phase, phase angle
(noun) a particular point in the time of a cycle; measured from some arbitrary zero and expressed as an angle
phase, stage
(noun) any distinct time period in a sequence of events; “we are in a transitional stage in which many former ideas must be revised or rejected”
phase
(verb) adjust so as to be in a synchronized condition; “he phased the intake with the output of the machine”
phase
(verb) arrange in phases or stages; “phase a withdrawal”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology 1
Noun
phase (plural phases)
A distinguishable part of a sequence or cycle occurring over time.
That which is exhibited to the eye; the appearance which anything manifests, especially any one among different and varying appearances of the same object.
Any appearance or aspect of an object of mental apprehension or view.
(astronomy) A particular appearance or state in a regularly recurring cycle of changes with respect to quantity of illumination or form, or the absence, of its enlightened disk. Illustrated in Wikipedia's article Lunar phase.
(physics) Any one point or portion in a recurring series of changes, as in the changes of motion of one of the particles constituting a wave or vibration; one portion of a series of such changes, in distinction from a contrasted portion, as the portion on one side of a position of equilibrium, in contrast with that on the opposite side.
(chemistry) A component in a material system that is distinguished by chemical composition and/or physical state (solid, liquid or gas) and/or crystal structure. It is delineated from an adjoining phase by an abrupt change in one or more of those conditions.
(zoology) In certain organisms, one of two or more colour variations characteristic of the species, but independent of the ordinary seasonal and sexual differences, and often also of age.
(rugby union) The period of play between consecutive breakdowns.
(genetics) A haplotype.
(math) The arctangent of the quotient formed by dividing the imaginary part of a complex number by the real part.
Synonym: argument
(music) A distortion caused by a difference in the speed of propagation for different frequencies
(electrical engineering) In a polyphase electrical power system, one of the power-carrying conductors, or the alternating current carried by it.
Verb
phase (third-person singular simple present phases, present participle phasing, simple past and past participle phased)
(with in or out) To begin—if construed with "in"—or to discontinue—if construed with out—(doing) something over a period of time (i.e. in phases).
Archaic form of faze.
(genetics, informal, transitive) To determine haplotypes in (data) when genotypes are known.
To pass into or through a solid object.
Usage notes
See notes at faze.
Hyponyms
• phase in
• phase out
Etymology 2
Proper noun
phase
(obsolete) Passover
Anagrams
• HEPAs, Heaps, ephas, heaps, shape
Source: Wiktionary
Phase, n.; pl. Phases. Etym: [NL. phasis, Gr. phase. See Phenomenon,
Phantom, and Emphasis.]
1. That which is exhibited to the eye; the appearance which anything
manifests, especially any one among different and varying appearances
of the same object.
2. Any appearance or aspect of an object of mental apprehension or
view; as, the problem has many phases.
3. (Astron.)
Definition: A particular appearance or state in a regularly recurring cycle
of changes with respect to quantity of illumination or form of
enlightened disk; as, the phases of the moon or planets. See Illust.
under Moon.
4. (Physics)
Definition: Any one point or portion in a recurring series of changes, as
in the changes of motion of one of the particles constituting a wave
or vibration; one portion of a series of such changes, in distinction
from a contrasted portion, as the portion on one side of a position
of equilibrium, in contrast with that on the opposite side.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition