Final answer:
The phrase "Middle Ages" refers to the period of European history spanning from the 5th to the 15th centuries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "Middle Ages" refers to the period of European history spanning from the 5th to the 15th centuries. This period began with the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and ended with the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. The Middle Ages is divided into three periods: the Early Middle Ages, the High Middle Ages, and the Late Middle Ages.