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phase¹ Definition

phase (fāz)

noun

  1. any of the recurrent stages of variation in the illumination and apparent shape of a moon or a planet
  2. any of the stages or forms in any series or cycle of changes, as in development
  3. any of the ways in which something may be observed, considered, or presented; aspect; side; part a problem with many phases
  4. Chem. a solid, liquid, or gaseous homogeneous form existing as a distinct part in a heterogeneous system ice is a phase of HO
  5. Physics the fractional part of a cycle through which an oscillation, as of light or sound waves, has advanced, measured from an arbitrary starting point
  6. Zool. any of the characteristic variations in color of the skin, fur, plumage, etc. of an animal, according to season, age, etc.

Etymology: ModL phasis < Gr < phainesthai, to appear, akin to phainein: see fantasy

transitive verb phased, phas·ing

  1. to plan, introduce, or carry out in phases, or stages: often with in or into
  2. to put in phase

intransitive verb

to move by phases

phase¹ Related Forms

pha·sic (fāzik) adjective

phase¹ Idioms

in (or out of) phase

in (or not in) a state of exactly parallel movements, oscillations, etc.; in (or not in) synchronization

phase out

to bring or come to an end, or withdraw from use, by stages

phase² Definition

phase (fāz)

transitive verb phased, phas·ing

faze

phase Synonyms

phase

n.

phase applies to any of the ways in which something may be observed, considered, or presented, and often refers to a stage in development or in a cycle of changes the phases of the moon; aspect emphasizes the appearance of a thing as seen or considered from a particular point of view to consider a problem from all aspects; facet literally or figuratively applies to any of the faces of a many-sided thing the facets of a diamond, another facet of her personality; angle suggests a specific aspect seen from a point of view sharply limited in scope, or, sometimes, an aspect seen only by a sharply acute observer he knows all the angles

phase Telecom Definition

In a periodic function such as the cyclic variation of an electromagnetic waveform, a relative measurement that describes the relationship between the positions of a signal at two instants in time. In other words, phase is a measurement of the relative position of a waveform at a significant instant of the signal relative to a time scale. Phase is measured in degrees (

phase Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • moon: It reveals not only the phases of the moon but also the times of high tide at Kings Lynn.
  • cycle: Impact and traceability reports as well as reports identifying missing links are all available across all levels or phases of a project life cycle.

Converse of object

  • enter: Viruses may lie dormant within cells for many years before they enter an active phase.
  • randomize: Patients who did not respond to the randomized phase of ECT were treated in an open, crossover phase using moderate dose bilateral ECT.

Adjective modifier

  • initial: At the initial phase only cases imposing either death penalty or maximum imprisonment term will be handled by jury trial.
  • second: The final second phase LAA pilot sign off is expected in March 2006.
  • next: The next phase is to collect data by scanning volunteers.
  • distinct: Projects, or distinct phases of projects, should have been completed between 1 October 2002 and 30 September 2005.
  • final: The final second phase LAA pilot sign off is expected in March 2006.
  • first: The £ 9m gallery forms the first phase of a new Cultural Quarter for Oldham.

Modifies a noun

  • transition: The phase transition is accompanied by a 9.8 % volume contraction.
  • diagram: Even more surprisingly the effect of the quantum critical point on the rest of the phase diagram extends up to surprisingly high temperatures.
  • shift: Changes are non-linear - systems change through phase shifts - radical transformations of kind rather than incremental development.
  • velocity: The phase speed of the L and R wave modes have the same phase velocity at this frequency.
  • angle: Explain the relationship between complex modulus and phase angle.

Noun used with modifier

  • pilot: This is an important opportunity for businesses to register interest in taking part in the pilot phase of the scheme.
  • vapor: Assume that the mixing takes place in the vapor phase.
  • implementation: Momentum The Planck mission is in ESA's implementation phase.
  • gas: The same reaction does not occur in the gas phase.
  • construction: The construction phase will employ up to a hundred people.