Category:Phalanx

Pha"lanx, n.; pl. Phalanxes, l. Phalanges. Etym: [l., from gr.

1. (gr. Antiq.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: one of the digital bones of the hand or foot, beyond the Metacarpus or metatarsus; an internode.

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

Defn: a group or bundle of stamens, as in polyadelphous flowers.