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(), 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. スポンサード リンク
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