phalanx

pha·lanx

noun
\ˈfā-ˌlaŋ(k)s, British usually ˈfa-\

plural pha·lanx·es or pha·lan·ges\fə-ˈlan-(ˌ)jēz, fā-, ˈfā-ˌ, British usually fa-\

Definition of PHALANX

1

: a body of heavily armed infantry in ancient Greece formed in close deep ranks and files; broadly : a body of troops in close array

2

plural phalanges : one of the digital bones of the hand or foot of a vertebrate

3

plural usually phalanxes a : a massed arrangement of persons, animals, or things <a phalanx of armed guards> b : an organized body of persons <a phalanx of lawyers>

Examples of PHALANX

1. A solid phalanx of armed guards stood in front of the castle.
2. She had to go through a phalanx of television cameras.

Origin of PHALANX

Latin phalang-, phalanx, from Greek, battle line, digital bone, literally, log — more at balk

First Known Use: 1553

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

Rhymes with PHALANX

break ranks, Grand Banks