10.31.00

phase (fz)
n. Abbr. ph.

1. A distinct stage of development: “The American occupation of Japan fell into three successive phases” (Edwin O. Reischauer). Distinct steps. Distinct changes.
2. A temporary manner, attitude, or pattern of behavior: just a passing phase. A short-term experience.
3. An aspect; a part: every phase of the operation. Something less than a whole.
4. Astronomy. One of the cyclically recurring apparent forms of the moon or a planet. Coming and going.
5. Physics.
   1. A particular stage in a periodic process or phenomenon. Part of something greater.
   2. The fraction of a complete cycle elapsed as measured from a specified reference point and often expressed as an angle. Pieces. Bits. Shards.
6. Chemistry.
   1. Any of the forms or states, solid, liquid, gas, or plasma, in which matter can exist, depending on temperature and pressure. Never the same. Always the same. Changing. Changing.
   2. A discrete homogeneous part of a material system that is mechanically separable from the rest, as is ice from water. Something removable. Something replaceable.
7. Biology. A characteristic form, appearance, or stage of development that occurs in a cycle or that distinguishes some individuals of a group: the white color phase of a weasel; the swarming phase of locusts. You can always spot it. It stands out. Unremarkable, but noticeable.

v. tr. phased, phas·ing, phas·es.

1. To plan or carry out systematically by phases. Plotted. Charted. Graphed.
2. To set or regulate so as to be synchronized. Organized. Operated. Ordered.

Phrasal Verbs:
phase in

To introduce, one stage at a time. Hello? (The clock is ticking.)

phase out

To bring or come to an end, one stage at a time. Winding down. Time is running out on this broken thing.

Idioms:
in phase

In a correlated or synchronized way. It's a pattern I'm used to by now. It's comfortable. It fits. I hate it.

out of phase

In an unsynchronized or uncorrelated way. But damnit, I'm tired. Damned tired.

Yesterday & Tomorrow.