PHALANGES

PHALANX

phalanx

(noun) any of the bones of the fingers or toes

phalanx

(noun) a body of troops in close array

phalanx

(noun) any closely ranked crowd of people

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

phalanges

plural of phalange

plural of phalanx

Source: Wiktionary


Pha*lan"ges, n.

Definition: , pl. of Phalanx.

PHALANX

Pha"lanx, n.; pl. Phalanxes, L. Phalanges. Etym: [L., from Gr.

1. (Gr. Antiq.)

Definition: 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. The Grecian phalanx, moveless as a tower. Pope.

2. Any body of troops or men formed in close array, or any combination of people distinguished for firmness and solidity of a union. At present they formed a united phalanx. Macaulay. The sheep recumbent, and the sheep that grazed, All huddling into phalanx, stood and gazed. Cowper.

3. A Fourierite community; a phalanstery.

4. (Anat.)

Definition: One of the digital bones of the hand or foot, beyond the metacarpus or metatarsus; an internode.

5. Etym: [pl. Phalanges.] (Bot.)

Definition: A group or bundle of stamens, as in polyadelphous flowers.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

13 February 2025

BREAK

(verb) cause the failure or ruin of; “His peccadilloes finally broke his marriage”; “This play will either make or break the playwright”


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

Plain brewed coffee contains almost no calories, while coffee with dairy products, sugar, and other flavorings is much higher in calories. An espresso has 20 calories. A nonfat latte has 72, while a flavored one has 134.

coffee icon