Phalanx

Quick meaning: Phalanx is a noun meaning (anatomy, plural phalanges) One of the bones of the finger or toe.

Meaning

(anatomy, plural phalanges) One of the bones of the finger or toe.

More Meanings

1. (botany) A bundle of stamens, in diadelphous and polyadelphous flowers.
2. (plural phalanxes or (rare) phalanges) A large group of people, animals or things, compact or closely massed, or tightly knit and united in common purpose.
3. (historical sociology) A Fourierite utopian community; a phalanstery.
4. (historical, plural phalanxes) An ancient Greek and Macedonian military unit that consisted of several ranks and files (lines) of soldiers in close array with joined shields and long spears.

Example Sentences

For a short time the two phalanges of men faced each other at a distance apart.

Broad phalanx of cars across the bridge moving slowly through the streaming snow.

There, the Paisleyites were being held back by another phalanx of soldiers and policemen.

[Charles Fourier] calculated that if precisely 1,620 men, women and children were collected in a 6,000-acre phalanx, they would — all by merrily following their individual passions — end up satisfying all the phalanx’s essential needs.

Word Forms

• phalanxes
• phalanges

Synonyms for phalanx

Depending on context, synonyms include phalange, phalangeal.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include section, festival, subparagraph, sect, brigade, regiment.

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