phase out
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phase
(fāz)n.
1. A distinct stage of development: "The American occupation of Japan fell into three successive phases" (Edwin O. Reischauer).
2. A temporary manner, attitude, or pattern of behavior: just a passing phase.
3. An aspect; a part: We must reconsider every phase of the operation.
4. Astronomy
a. One of the cyclically recurring apparent shapes of the visibly illuminated portion of the moon or a planet.
b. The relative configuration, measured in angular units such as degrees or radians, of two orbiting bodies that periodically eclipse.
5. Physics
a. A particular stage in a periodic process or phenomenon.
b. The fraction of a complete cycle elapsed as measured from a specified reference point and often expressed as an angle.
6. Chemistry
a. Any of the forms or states, solid, liquid, gas, or plasma, in which matter can exist, depending on temperature and pressure.
b. A discrete homogeneous part of a material system that is mechanically separable from the rest, as is ice from water.
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.
tr.v. phased, phas·ing, phas·es
Phrasal Verbs: 1. To plan or carry out systematically by phases.
2. To set or regulate so as to be synchronized.
phase in
To introduce, one stage at a time.
phase out
Idioms: To bring or come to an end, one stage at a time.
in phase
In a correlated or synchronized way.
out of phase
In an unsynchronized or uncorrelated way.
[Back-formation from New Latin phasēs, phases of the moon, from Greek phaseis, pl. of phasis, appearance, from phainein, to show; see bhā- in Indo-European roots.]
pha′sic (fā′zĭk) adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
phase out
vb
(tr, adverb) to discontinue or withdraw gradually
n
the action or an instance of phasing out: a phase-out of conventional forces.
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
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| Verb | 1. | phase out - terminate gradually terminate, end - bring to an end or halt; "She ended their friendship when she found out that he had once been convicted of a crime"; "The attack on Poland terminated the relatively peaceful period after WW I" phase in - introduce gradually |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.