- Phalanges
- Phalanx Pha"lanx, n.; pl. {Phalanxes}, L. {Phalanges}. [L.,
from Gr. ?.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.) A body of heavy-armed infantry formed in
ranks and files close and deep. There were several
different arrangements, the phalanx varying in depth from
four to twenty-five or more ranks of men. ``In cubic
phalanx firm advanced.'' --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
The Grecian phalanx, moveless as a tower. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
2. Any body of troops or men formed in close array, or any combination of people distinguished for firmness and solidity of a union. [1913 Webster]
At present they formed a united phalanx. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
The sheep recumbent, and the sheep that grazed, All huddling into phalanx, stood and gazed. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]
3. A Fourierite community; a phalanstery. [1913 Webster]
4. (Anat.) One of the digital bones of the hand or foot, beyond the metacarpus or metatarsus; an internode. [1913 Webster]
5. [pl. {Phalanges}.] (Bot.) A group or bundle of stamens, as in polyadelphous flowers. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.