Link Centre Dictionary

phase

UK/feɪz/ US/ˈfeɪz/ common informal
noun (4) verb (2)

noun

1.

(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”
Synonyms
2.

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”
Synonyms
3.

a particular point in the time of a cycle; measured from some arbitrary zero and expressed as an angle

Synonyms
4.

(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”

verb

1.

arrange in phases or stages

  • “phase a withdrawal”
2.

adjust so as to be in a synchronized condition

  • “he phased the intake with the output of the machine”

Origin

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

Phrases

  • acute-phase protein
  • aqueous phase
  • Chevrel phase
  • continuous phase
  • delayed sleep phase disorder
  • disperse phase
  • dyke phase
  • FFLO phase

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

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Parts

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.