Main Entry: ¹stage

Pronunciation: \ˈstāj\

Function: noun

1 : a period or step in a process, activity, or development: as a : one of the distinguishable periods of growth and development of a plant or animal <the larval stage of an insect> b : a period or phase in the course of a disease <the rash stage of Lyme disease—R. H. Boyle> ; also : the degree of involvement or severity of a disease <advanced stage II or III disease (more than 10 positive lymph nodes found after axillary dissection)—M. S. Anscher et al> c : one of two or more operations performed at different times but constituting a single procedure <a two-stage thoracoplasty> d : any of the four degrees indicating depth of general anesthesia
2 : the small platform of a microscope on which an object is placed for examination

[stage illustration]