phalanx

pha·lanx  (flngks, flngks)

n. pl. pha·lanx·es or pha·lan·ges (f-lnjz, f-)

1. A compact or close-knit body of people: "formed a solid phalanx in defense of the Constitution and Protestant religion" (G.M. Trevelyan).

2. A formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears, developed by Philip II of Macedon and used by Alexander the Great.

3. pl. phalanges Anatomy A bone of a finger or toe. Also called phalange.

4. See phalanstery.

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[Latin phalanx, phalang-, from Greek.]

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phalanx [fal-lanks, fal-lan-jeez]

Noun

pl phalanxes or phalanges

1. any closely grouped mass of people: a solid phalanx of reporters and photographers

2. a number of people united for a common purpose

3. an ancient Greek battle formation of infantry in close ranks [Greek]

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phalanx  (flngks)

Plural phalanges (f-lnjz)

Any of the small bones of the fingers or toes in humans or the digits of many other vertebrates.

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phalanx

an ancient military formation of serried ranks surrounded by shields; hence, any crowded mass of people or group united for a common purpose.

See also: Crowds

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Phalanx a line or array of battle; a compact group of people or animals prepared for attack or defence; a body of persons or things drawn up together in a common purpose.

Examples: phalanx of cavaliers and dames, 1837; of elms, 1891; of Greeks, 1983; of infantry; of lawyers, 1817; of sheep, 1785; of soldiers, 1553; of migrating storks, 1733.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	phalanx - any of the bones of the fingers or toes bone, os - rigid connective tissue that makes up the skeleton of vertebrates dactyl, digit - a finger or toe in human beings or corresponding body part in other vertebrates
	2.	phalanx - any closely ranked crowd of people crowd - a large number of things or people considered together; "a crowd of insects assembled around the flowers"
	3.	phalanx - a body of troops in close array military force, military group, military unit, force - a unit that is part of some military service; "he sent Caesar a force of six thousand men" armed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine - the military forces of a nation; "their military is the largest in the region"; "the military machine is the same one we faced in 1991 but now it is weaker"