see|Phalanx
wikipedia|dab=Phalanx
English
Pronunciation
audio|en-us-phalanx.ogg|Audio (US)
Noun
en-noun|es|pl2=phalanges
#italbrac|plural phalanxes An ancient Greek military unit that consisted of several ranks and files (lines) of soldiers in close array with joined shields and long spears.
#italbrac|plural phalanges One of the bones of the finger or toe, also called phalange.
#italbrac|plural phalanxes a large group of people, animals or things, compact or closely massed, or tightly knit and united in common purpose.
#:The pop star was encased in a phalanx of bodyguards.
#:The general appeared dignified with a phalanx of medals decorating his uniform.
Translations
trans-top|ancient military unit
Finnish: falangi
trans-mid
trans-bottom
trans-top|bone
Finnish: varpaanluu (toe), sormiluu (finger)
trans-mid
trans-bottom
trans-top|large group of people
Finnish: falangi
trans-mid
trans-bottom
Quotations
;large group
2007, The Guardian, 1
:There, the Paisleyites were being held back by another phalanx of soldiers and policemen.
2007, The Guardian, 2
:The Guardian today listed a phalanx of ministers who back the bill, including Tessa Jowell, the culture secretary, Tony McNulty?, the policing minister, Andy Burnham, the junior health minister, Ian Pearson, the climate change minister, John Healey, the financial secretary to the Treasury, and Keith Hill, parliamentary private secretary to Tony Blair.
Category:Skeleton
Category:Greek derivations
Category:English nouns with irregular plurals
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