phase

noun

• 1a distinct period or stage in a process of change or forming part of something’s development:the final phases of the war [as modifier]:phase two of the development
• a stage in a person’s psychological development, especially a period of temporary difficulty during adolescence or a particular stage during childhood:most of your fans are going through a phase
• a stage in the life cycle or annual cycle of an animal.

• 2each of the aspects of the moon or a planet, according to the amount of its illumination, especially the new moon, the first quarter, the full moon, and the last quarter.

• 3 Zoology a genetic or seasonal variety of an animal’s coloration: the invertebrate residents of the tundra pass the winter in dormant phase

• 4 Chemistry a distinct and homogeneous form of matter (i.e. a particular solid, liquid, or gas) separated by its surface from other forms: solid carbon dioxide passes directly into the gas phase without becoming a liquid

• 5 Physics the relationship in time between the successive states or cycles of an oscillating or repeating system (such as an alternating electric current or a light or sound wave) and either a fixed reference point or the states or cycles of another system with which it may or may not be in synchrony: there are two output channels, one fixed in phase and the other variable in phase between 0 and 360 degrees
• each of the electrical windings or connections of a polyphase machine or circuit.

• 6 Linguistics (in systemic grammar) the relationship between a catenative verb and the verb that follows it, as in she hoped to succeed and I like swimming.
• a structure containing two verbs in a phase.

verb

• 1carry out (something) in gradual stages:the work is being phased over a number of years (as adjective phased)a phased withdrawal of troops
• (phase something in/out) introduce something into (or withdraw something from) use in gradual stages:the changes will be phased in over 10 years

• 2 Physics adjust the phase of (something), especially so as to synchronize it with something else: about 70% of the reflections were phased by this method