phalanx

• Существительное с несколькими значениями: может обозначать любую из костей пальцев рук или ног, плотно стоящую толпу людей или воинское подразделение в сомкнутом строю.

A noun with multiple meanings: it can refer to any of the bones of the fingers or toes, a closely ranked crowd of people, or a body of troops in close array.

irregular plural

1. Bone of finger or toeC1formalmedical

   Any of the small bones that form the fingers or toes in humans and many other vertebrates.

   Фаланга

   • The surgeon repaired the fractured phalanx in his index finger.
   • Each finger consists of three phalanges, except the thumb which has two.
   • X-rays revealed a break in the proximal phalanx of her toe.

2. Closely ranked crowdC1formal

   A group of people or things standing closely together, often for a common purpose.

   Сомкнутый строй

   • A phalanx of reporters awaited the celebrity outside the hotel.
   • The protesters formed a phalanx in front of the government building.
   • A phalanx of security guards surrounded the VIP.

   Synonymsarrayassemblagecrowdhordehostmassmultitudethrong

3. Military formationC1formal

   A body of troops or soldiers arranged in close, deep ranks, historically used in ancient Greek warfare.

   Фаланга

   • The Macedonian phalanx was a formidable force on the battlefield.
   • The soldiers advanced in a tight phalanx formation.
   • The general ordered the phalanx to hold its position against the enemy charge.

   Synonymscolumnformationhostlegionmass