phase English · revision 4080

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=back-formation|attested=c. 1705|origins=grc φάσις}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /feɪz/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a back-formation, as a singular, [[der|la-new|phasēs]], the plural of phasis,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) perhaps in part from French phase,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(COED 2004) from [[grc|φάσις|tr=phásis|t=appearance of a star, phase of the moon]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from the stem of [[m|grc|φαίνειν|tr=phaínein|t=to show, make appear]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) from [[ine-pro|*bʰeh₂-|alt=*bha-|t=to shine]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) The Latin singular phasis was used in English from 1660.^(Etymonline) It is related to [[phantom]], [[fantasy]] and [[phenomenon]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A phase of the moon, the appearance the moon or a planet presents at a given time: 1705 in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) 1812 in the OED and Barnhart,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) and 1647 in Merriam-Webster.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The modern sense, a distinct period, had developed by 1701 according to Word Origins;^(Cresswell 2021) Etymonline, Barnhart and the OED date the general sense “aspect, stage of development” to 1841.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) In physics, a stage in a recurring sequence of movements, it is from 1861,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and a distinct homogeneous form of matter from 1875.^(OED 1989) A temporary difficult period, especially of adolescents, is from 1913.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The verb, “to adjust the phase of, synchronize”, is from 1895 in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) 1938 in the OED and Barnhart,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) and “to carry out gradually, in stages” is from 1949,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) giving ''phase in'' and ''phase out'' in 1954.^(Etymonline) Phase was also an erroneous spelling of [[faze]] from 1889.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1705 – a phase of the moon.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1841 – a stage of development.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1861 – in physics.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1913 – a difficult period.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1949 – verb, to carry out in stages.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1954 – ''phase out''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A distinct [[stage]] of development.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A temporary manner, attitude or pattern of behaviour: ''just a phase''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # An [[aspect]] or part.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # One of the recurring apparent forms of the moon or a planet.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # In physics, a particular stage in a periodic process, as of a wave.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # In chemistry, a distinct and homogeneous form of matter in a system.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To plan or carry out in stages: ''phased in over two years''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To synchronize.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[phasic]]

+ * [[phaseless]]

+ * [[single-phase]]

+ * [[three-phase]]

+ * [[phase-in]]

+ * [[quarter-phase]]

+ * [[two-phase]]

+ * [[diphase]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[phantom]]

+ * [[fantasy]]

+ * [[phenomenon]]

+ * [[emphasis]]

+ * [[faze]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage distinguishes phase, which may denote a change in the thing itself, from aspect, facet, angle and side, ways of viewing it.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}