that which is exhibited to the eye; the appearance which anything manifests, especially any one among different and varying appearances of the same object.-any appearance or aspect of an object of mental apprehension or view; as, the problem has many phases.-a particular appearance or state in a regularly recurring cycle of changes with respect to quantity of illumination or form of enlightened disk; as, the phases of the moon or planets. see illust. under moon.-any one point or portion in a recurring series of changes, as in the changes of motion of one of the particles constituting a wave or vibration; one portion of a series of such changes, in distinction from a contrasted portion, as the portion on one side of a position of equilibrium, in contrast with that on the opposite side.