The Clue
Stage of development (5 letter answer)
The Answer
PHASE
Tags
Notes
The answer PHASE is common and appears about once every 200 puzzles.
Related Clues
Aspect
Facet
Period
Side
Stage
Step
An anagram for shape
Aspect; side
Astronomical appearance
Developmental period
Developmental stage
Lunar stage
Moon period
Moon stage
Moon's appearance
New moon, for one
Part of a cycle
Passing fancy
Stage of progress
Temporary attitude
Full moon, e.g.
New moon, e.g.
Part of growing up
Terrible twos, e.g.
Thumb-sucking, e.g.
Definition
PHASE as a noun:
1. (phase, form) = (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"
2. (phase, stage) = 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"
3. (phase, phase angle) = a particular point in the time of a cycle; measured from some arbitrary zero and expressed as an angle
4. (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 as a verb:
1. arrange in phases or stages; "phase a withdrawal"
2. adjust so as to be in a synchronized condition; "he phased the intake with the output of the machine"