2 N‑UNCOUNT Pharmacy is the job or the science of preparing medicines. □ He spent four years studying pharmacy.
phase ◆◇◇ /fe I z/ (phases , phasing , phased )
1 N‑COUNT A phase is a particular stage in a process or in the gradual development of something. □ [+ of ] This autumn, 6000 residents will participate in the first phase of the project. □ The crisis is entering a crucial, critical phase. □ [+ of ] Most kids will go through a phase of being faddy about what they eat.
2 VERB [usu passive] If an action or change is phased over a period of time, it is done in stages. □ [be V -ed] The redundancies will be phased over two years. □ [V -ed] He wants military commanders to plan a phased withdrawal starting at the end of the year.
3 PHRASE If two things are out of phase with each other, they are not working or happening together as they should. If two things are in phase , they are working or occurring together as they should. □ [+ with ] The Skills Programme is out of phase with the rest of the curriculum.
▸ phase in PHRASAL VERB If a new way of doing something is phased in , it is introduced gradually. □ [be V -ed P ] It was announced that the reforms would be phased in over three years. □ [V P n] The change is part of the government's policy of phasing in Arabic as the official academic language. [Also V n P ]
▸ phase out PHRASAL VERB If something is phased out , people gradually stop using it. □ [be V -ed P ] They said the present system of military conscription should be phased out. □ [V P n] They phased out my job in favor of a computer. [Also V n P ] SYNONYMS phase NOUN 1
stage: Mr Cook has arrived in Greece on the final stage of his tour.
point: At this point Diana arrived.
period: He went through a period of wanting to be accepted.
PhD /piː e I tʃ diː / (PhDs ) also Ph.D.
1 N‑COUNT A PhD is a degree awarded to people who have done advanced research into a particular subject. PhD is an abbreviation for 'Doctor of Philosophy'. □ He is more highly educated, with a PhD in Chemistry. □ …an unpublished PhD thesis.
2 PhD is written after someone's name to indicate that they have a PhD. □ …R.D. Combes, PhD.
pheas|ant /fe z ə nt/ (pheasants or pheasant ) N‑COUNT A pheasant is a bird with a long tail. Pheasants are often shot as a sport and then eaten. ● N‑UNCOUNT Pheasant is the flesh of this bird eaten as food. □ …roast pheasant.
phe|nom|ena /f I nɒ m I nə/ Phenomena is the plural of phenomenon .
phe|nom|enal /f I nɒ m I n ə l/ ADJ Something that is phenomenal is so great or good that it is very unusual indeed. [EMPHASIS ] □ Exports are growing at a phenomenal rate. □ The performances have been absolutely phenomenal. ● phe|nom|enal|ly ADV [ADV adj/adv, ADV after v] □ She has recently re-launched her phenomenally successful singing career.
phe|nom|enol|ogy /f I nɒ m I nɒ lədʒi/ N‑UNCOUNT Phenomenology is a branch of philosophy which deals with consciousness, thought, and experience. ● phe|nom|eno|logi|cal /f I nɒ m I nəlɒ dʒ I k ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] □ …a phenomenological approach to the definition of 'reality'.
phe|nom|enon /f I nɒ m I nən, [AM ] -nɑːn/ (phenomena ) N‑COUNT A phenomenon is something that is observed to happen or exist. [FORMAL ] □ …scientific explanations of natural phenomena.
phero|mone /fe rəmoʊn/ (pheromones ) N‑COUNT Some animals and insects produce chemicals called pheromones which affect the behaviour of other animals and insects of the same type, for example by attracting them sexually. [TECHNICAL ]
phew /fjuː / EXCLAM Phew is used in writing to represent the soft whistling sound that you make when you breathe out quickly, for example when you are relieved or shocked about something or when you are very hot. □ Phew, what a relief!
phial /fa I əl/ (phials ) N‑COUNT A phial is a small tube-shaped glass bottle used, for example, to hold medicine. [FORMAL ]
phi|lan|der|er /f I læ ndərə r / (philanderers ) N‑COUNT If you say that a man is a philanderer , you mean that he has a lot of casual sexual relationships with women. [DISAPPROVAL ]
phi|lan|der|ing /f I lŋ dər I ŋ/ (philanderings )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A philandering man has a lot of casual sexual relationships with women. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …her philandering husband.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Philandering means having a lot of casual sexual relationships with women. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ She intended to leave her husband because of his philandering.
phil|an|throp|ic /f I lənθrɒ p I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A philanthropic person or organization freely gives money or other help to people who need it. □ Some of the best services for the ageing are sponsored by philanthropic organizations.
phi|lan|thro|pist /f I læ nθrəp I st/ (philanthropists ) N‑COUNT A philanthropist is someone who freely gives money and help to people who need it.
phi|lan|thro|py /f I læ nθrəpi/ N‑UNCOUNT Philanthropy is the giving of money to people who need it, without wanting anything in return. □ …a retired banker well known for his philanthropy.
phi|lat|elist /f I læ təl I st/ (philatelists ) N‑COUNT A philatelist is a person who collects and studies postage stamps. [FORMAL ]
phi|lat|ely /f I læ təli/ N‑UNCOUNT Philately is the hobby of collecting and learning about postage stamps. [FORMAL ]