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

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Etymology

Noun

phalanges

plural of phalange

plural of phalanx

Source: Wiktionary

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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

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