n.
Pronunciation: ' f ā z
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin phasis, from Greek, appearance of a star, phase of the moon, from phainein to show (middle voice, to appear) ― more at FANCY
Date: circa 1750
1 : a particular appearance or state in a regularly recurring cycle of changes < phase s of the moon>
2 a : a distinguishable part in a course, development, or cycle <the early phase s of her career> b : an aspect or part (as of a problem) under consideration
3 : the point or stage in a period of uniform circular motion, harmonic motion, or the periodic changes of any magnitude varying according to a simple harmonic law to which the rotation, oscillation, or variation has advanced from its standard position or assumed instant of starting
4 : a homogeneous, physically distinct, and mechanically separable portion of matter present in a nonhomogeneous physicochemical system
5 : an individual or subgroup distinguishably different in appearance or behavior from the norm of the group to which it belongs also : the distinguishing peculiarity
– pha · sic \ ' f ā -zik \ adjective
– in phase : in a synchronized or correlated manner
– out of phase : in an unsynchronized manner : not in correlation