Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Phase
Phase
(fāz)
, Noun.
pl.
Phases
(fāz′ĕz)
. [NL.
phasis
, Gr. φάσις
, fr. φαίνειν
to make to appear: cf. F. phase
. See Phenomenon
, Phantom
, and Emphasis
.] 1.
That which is exhibited to the eye; the appearance which anything manifests, especially any one among different and varying appearances of the same object.
2.
Any appearance or aspect of an object of mental apprehension or view;
as, the problem has many
. phases
3.
(Astron.)
A particular appearance or state in a regularly recurring cycle of changes with respect to quantity of illumination or form of enlightened disk;
as, the
. See Illust. under phases
of the moon or planetsMoon
. 4.
(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.