Phalanxes

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Phalanx \Pha"lanx\, n.; pl. {Phalanxes}, L. {Phalanges}. [L.,
     from Gr. fa`lagx.]
     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.
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              The Grecian phalanx, moveless as a tower. --Pope.
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     2. Any body of troops or men formed in close array, or any
        combination of people distinguished for firmness and
        solidity of a union.
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              At present they formed a united phalanx. --Macaulay.
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              The sheep recumbent, and the sheep that grazed,
              All huddling into phalanx, stood and gazed.
                                                    --Cowper.
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     3. A Fourierite community; a phalanstery.
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     4. (Anat.) One of the digital bones of the hand or foot,
        beyond the metacarpus or metatarsus; an internode.
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     5. [pl. {Phalanges}.] (Bot.) A group or bundle of stamens, as
        in polyadelphous flowers.
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