Phase

Phase, from the Greek phasis, meaning 'appearance', has a number of related meanings in English.

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• The phase of a waveform is the position of any peak or trough compared to the same feature on a second waveform.
• A phase of matter is a physically distinctive form of a substance, such as the solid, liquid, and gaseous states of ordinary matter. Also sometimes included in this list are more exotic phases such as superfluids. Common examples of distinct phases within the same state of matter are immiscible liquids and the many phases of ice.
• Phase in chemistry is a homogeneous part of material that can be mechanically separated from the rest.
• A lunar phase is the appearance of the Moon as viewed from the Earth. Similarly with planetary phases.
• The audio effect and DJ and compositional technique of phasing.
• The term phase is used in small group communication, conflict, and negotiation to refer to segments during which the types of communication that occur remain approximately similar throughout, but clearly distinct from the types that occur during other phases.

The term Phase can also mean a state of mind where temporary abnormal behavioural patterns are manifested that are associated with growing up or maturing. Once a state of maturity is reached after the 'phase', then there is normality again within behaviour. (i.e. A straight A student is suddently failing class because he has fallen in love with a girl and cant stop thinking of her, is an example of a 'Phase'. Once this experience is over, he may never allow it to happen again knowing better and seeing things differently.)

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