Phase

Pronunciation

• UK enPR: fāz, IPA: /feɪz/
• Rhymes: -eɪz
• Homophones: faze

From New Latin phasis, from Ancient Greek φάσις (phásis, "an appearance"), from φάειν (phaein, "to shine"); compare phantasm and see face.

Full definition of phase

Noun

1. A distinguishable part of a sequence or cycle occurring over time.
2. That which is exhibited to the eye; the appearance which anything manifests, especially any one among different and varying appearances of the same object.
3. Any appearance or aspect of an object of mental apprehension or view.The problem has many phases.
4. (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; as, the phases of the moon or planets. Illustrated in .
5. (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.
6. (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.
7. (rugby union) The period of play between consecutive breakdowns.
• 2011, Septembe 24, Ben Dirs, Rugby World Cup 2011: England 67-3 Romania, 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.
8. (genetics) A haplotype.

Verb

1. (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).The use of the obsolete machines was gradually phased out as the new models were phased in.
2. Misspelling of faze

1. (genetics, informal, transitive) To determine haplotypes in (data) when genotypes are known.
2. To pass into or through a solid object.
• 1997, P. Lunenfeld, Intelligent Environments: Spatial Aspects of the Information Revolution Chapter Hybrid Architectures and the Paradox of Unfolding, Anyone who has lost their way in cyberspace—realizing they have just phased into what they had previously categorized as 'solid' matter—will understand this example.
• 2004, Paul Ruditis, Star Trek: Enterprise: Shockwave, Archer took a deep breath and, steeling himself for the bizarre experience, carefully walked to the bulkhead and phased through.
• 2011, Timothy Callahan, Grant Morrison: The Early Years, Intangible or invisible objects in comic books are often drawn with a dotted line. When Kitty Pryde of the X-Men phases through objects, she's drawn that way, and Wonder Woman's invisible plan sic used to be drawn that way as well.

Usage notes

See notes at faze.

Derived terms

• phase in
• phase out
• unphased

From Latin phase ("passover"), Phasa, from Hebrew פָּסַח.

Alternative forms

• Phase

Proper noun

1. (obsolete) Passover

Anagrams

• ephas
• heaps
• shape