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phalanxesmore about phalanxes

phalanxes


  1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Phalanx  \Pha"lanx\,  n.;  pl  {Phalanxes},  L.  {Phalanges}.  [L., 
  from  Gr  ?.] 
  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. 
 
  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.  [pl.  {Phalanges}.]  (Bot.)  A  group  or  bundle  of  stamens,  as 
  in  polyadelphous  flowers. 




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