Terrible twos, e.g. (5 letters)

{ Answer }

PHASE

{ Related Clues }

Aspect
Facet
Side
Stage
Step
An anagram for shape
Astronomical appearance
Developmental period
Developmental stage
Moon period
Moon stage
New moon, for one
Part of a cycle
Passing fancy
Stage of development
Terrible twos, for one
New moon, e.g.
Part of a lunar cycle

{ Tags }

appearance, aspect, attitude, cycle, developmental, eg, facet, full, growing, lunar, moon, new, out, part, period, phase, side, stage, terrible, twos, up

{ Notes }

The answer PHASE is common and appears about once every 200 puzzles.

{ 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"