phalanx

• Nom avec plusieurs sens : il peut désigner chacune des os des doigts ou des orteils, une foule dense et compacte de personnes, ou une formation militaire en ordre serré.

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.

pluriel irrégulier

1. Bone of finger or toeC1formalmedical

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

   Phalange (os des doigts ou des orteils)

   • 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.

   Rangée serrée de personnes

   • 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.

   Synonymesarrayassemblagecrowdhordehostmassmultitudethrong

3. Military formationC1formal

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

   Phalange (formation militaire)

   • 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.

   Synonymescolumnformationhostlegionmass