phalanx Hear it!

phalanx definition

pha·lanx (fā′laŋks′, fal′aŋks′)

noun pl. phalanxes -·lanx′es, phalanges pha·lan·ges (fə lan′jēz′)

  1. an ancient military formation of infantry in close, deep ranks with shields overlapping and spears extended
  2. a massed group of individuals; compact body
  3. a group of individuals united for a common purpose
  4. the people forming a phalanstery
  5. Anat. any of the bones forming the fingers or toes

Etymology: L < Gr, line of battle, bone between fingers, orig., log < IE base *bhel-, log > balk

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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