phase (feɪz
)
Definitions
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
- See in phase
- See out of phase
- chemistry 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 (sense 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 (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 (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 as in I managed to do it, or (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 as in or -ing, as in (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 as in or 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
Alternative Forms
ˈphaseless adjective ˈphasic ˈphaseal adjective Word Origin
C19: from New Latin phases, pl of phasis, from Greek: aspect; related to Greek phainein to show
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
=
stage,
time,
state,
point,
position,
step,
development,
condition,
period,
chapter,
aspect,
juncture,
