'Phalanges' definitions:
Definition of 'Phalanges'
From: GCIDE
- Phalanges \Pha*lan"ges\, n., pl. of Phalanx. [1913 Webster] Phalangial
Definition of 'Phalanges'
From: GCIDE
- Phalanx \Pha"lanx\, n.; pl. Phalanxes, L. Phalanges. [L., from Gr. fa`lagx.]
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- The Grecian phalanx, moveless as a tower. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Any body of troops or men formed in close array, or any combination of people distinguished for firmness and solidity of a union. [1913 Webster]
- At present they formed a united phalanx. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
- The sheep recumbent, and the sheep that grazed, All huddling into phalanx, stood and gazed. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]
- 3. A Fourierite community; a phalanstery. [1913 Webster]
- 4. (Anat.) One of the digital bones of the hand or foot, beyond the metacarpus or metatarsus; an internode. [1913 Webster]
- 5. [pl. Phalanges.] (Bot.) A group or bundle of stamens, as in polyadelphous flowers. [1913 Webster]