[phase] n [NL phasis, fr. Gk, appearance of a star, phase of the moon, fr. phainein to show (middle voice, to appear)--more at fancy] (1812) 1: a particular appearance or state in a regularly recurring cycle of changes "~s of the moon"
2. a: a distinguishable part in a course, development, or cycle "the early ~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 considered in its relation to a 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 adj -- in phase : in a synchronized or correlated manner -- out of phase : in an unsynchronized manner: not in correlation
[2]phase vt phased ; phas.ing (1904) 1: to adjust so as to be in a synchronized condition
2: to conduct or carry out by planned phases
3: to introduce in stages--often used with in "~ in new models"