phase in WordNet English dictionary

1. (physical chemistry) a distinct state of matter in a system; matter that is identical in chemical composition and physical state and separated from other material by the phase boundary
   "the reaction occurs in the liquid phase of the system"
   phase  form 
   
2. (astronomy) the particular appearance of a body's state of illumination (especially one of the recurring shapes of the part of Earth's moon that is illuminated by the sun)
   "the full phase of the moon"
   phase 
   
3. any distinct time period in a sequence of events
   "we are in a transitional stage in which many former ideas must be revised or rejected"
   phase  stage 
   
4. a particular point in the time of a cycle; measured from some arbitrary zero and expressed as an angle
   phase  phase angle 
   

1. adjust so as to be in a synchronized condition
   "he phased the intake with the output of the machine"
   phase 
   
2. arrange in phases or stages
   "phase a withdrawal"
   phase