anal stage

stage (stāj)

1. a definite period or distinct phase, as of development of a disease or of an organism.

2. the platform of a microscope on which the slide containing the object to be studied is placed.

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algid stage  a period marked by flickering pulse, subnormal temperature, and varied nervous symptoms.

amphibolic stage  the stage of an infectious disease between the acme and decline in which the diagnosis is uncertain.

anal stage  in psychoanalytic theory, the second stage of psychosexual development, occurring between the ages of 1 and 3 years, during which the infant's activities, interests, and concerns are on the anal zone.

cold stage  the period of chill or rigor in a malarial paroxysm.

first stage of labor  see labor.

fourth stage of labor  see labor.

genital stage  in psychoanalytic theory, the final stage in psychosexual development, occurring during puberty, during which the person can receive sexual gratification from genital-to-genital contact and is capable of a mature relationship with a member of the opposite sex.

hot stage  period of pyrexia in a malarial paroxysm.

latency stage 

1. the incubation period of any infectious disorder.

2. the quiescent period following an active period in certain infectious diseases, during which the pathogen lies dormant before again initiating signs of active disease.

3. in psychoanalytic theory, the period of relative quiescence in psychosexual development, lasting from age 5 to 6 years to adolescence, during which interest in persons of the opposite sex ceases and association is mainly with other children of the same sex.

oral stage  in psychoanalytic theory, the earliest stage of psychosexual development, from birth to about 18 months, during which the infant's needs, expression, and pleasurable experiences center on the oral zone.

phallic stage  in psychoanalytic theory, the third stage of psychosexual development, lasting from age 2 or 3 years to 5 or 6 years, during which sexual interest, curiosity, and pleasurable experiences center on the penis in boys and the clitoris in girls.

second stage of labor  see labor.

third stage of labor  see labor.

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anal stage,

(in psychoanalysis) the period in psychosexual development, occurring between 1 and 3 years of age, when preoccupation with the function of the bowel and the sensations associated with the anus are the predominant source of pleasurable stimulation. It is regarded as an important determinant of ultimate personality type. Adult patterns of behavior associated with fixation on this stage include extreme neatness, orderliness, cleanliness, perfectionism, and punctuality or their extreme opposites. Also called anal phase. See also anal character, psychosexual development.

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stage [stāj]

1. a distinct period or phase, as of development of a disease or organism. For specific names of stages, see under the name.

2. the platform of a microscope on which the slide containing the object to be studied is placed.

anal stage in psychoanalytic theory, the second stage of psychosexual development, occurring between the ages of 1 and 3 years, during which the infant's activities, interests, and concerns are on the anal zone. It is preceded by the oral stage and followed by the phallic stage. See also sexual development.

first stage of labor see labor.

fourth stage of labor see labor.

genital stage in psychoanalytic theory, the last stage in psychosexual development, occurring during puberty, during which the person can achieve sexual gratification from genital-to-genital contact and is capable of a mature relationship with a person of the opposite sex. It follows the latency stage. See also sexual development.

latency stage

1. the incubation period of any infectious disorder.

2. the quiescent period following an active period in certain infectious diseases, during which the pathogen remains dormant for a variable length of time before again initiating signs of active disease.

3. in psychoanalytic theory, the relatively quiescent period in psychosexual development following the phallic stage and lasting from age 5 or 6 years to adolescence. Energy is focused on learning and on more organized play. See also sexual development.

oral stage in psychoanalytic theory, the earliest stage of psychosexual development, lasting from birth to about 18 months, during which the oral zone is the center of the infant's needs, expression, and pleasurable erotic experiences. It is followed by the anal stage. See also sexual development.

phallic stage in psychoanalytic theory, the third stage in psychosexual development, lasting from age 2 or 3 years to 5 or 6 years, during which sexual interest, curiosity, and pleasurable experiences are centered on the penis in boys and the clitoris in girls. It is preceded by the anal stage and followed by the latency stage. See also sexual development.

prodromal stage the period of early symptoms of a disease occurring after the incubation period and just before the appearance of the characteristic symptoms of the disease.

second stage of labor see labor.

third stage of labor see labor.