DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
Pha·lanx n.; pl. Phalanxes L. Phalanges
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.”
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. One of the digital bones of the hand or foot, beyond the metacarpus or metatarsus; an internode.
5. Bot. A group or bundle of stamens, as in polyadelphous flowers.
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Pha·lan·ges n., pl. of Phalanx.
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