Etymology Map
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Phase

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a stage in a process

Where does the word "phase" come from? It comes from Greek phasis, adopted directly into English (1810s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
phasis
Greek · ancient
"appearance"
Greek, from 'phainein', to show: the moon's appearances
2
Stage 2 of 2
phase
English · 1810s
"lunar phase"
general 'phases' of development date from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Phase’s story begins in Greek: phasis meant “appearance.” Greek, from 'phainein', to show: the moon's appearances. It reached English by 1810s as phase. General 'phases' of development date from the 1800s. Today, phase means a stage in a process.