1550s, "line of battle in close ranks," from Latin phalanx "compact body of heavily armed men in battle array," or directly from Greek phalanx (genitive phalangos) "line of battle, battle array," also "finger or toe bone," originally "round piece of wood, trunk, log," of unknown origin. Perhaps from PIE root *bhelg- "plank, beam" (source of Old English balca "balk;" see balk (n.)). The Macedonian phalanx consisted of 50 close files of 16 men each. In anatomy, originally the whole row of finger joints, which fit together like infantry in close order. Figurative sense of "number of persons banded together in a common cause" is attested from 1600 (compare Spanish Falangist, member of a fascist organization founded in 1933).
雙語例句
1. Unfortunately for Wilson, such a solid phalanx did not materialize.
對威爾遜來說, 不幸的是這種團結并沒有形成.
來自辭典例句
2. He had ranked himself in the numerous phalanx of unbelievers.
他一直象其它無數懷疑者一樣持懷疑態度.
來自辭典例句
3. At last , a phalanx of soldiers rescued us.
一支密集隊形的軍隊終于前來搭救了我們.
來自辭典例句
4. Your father should have told you how our phalanx works.
你父親應該告訴過你,我們的方針是如何運轉的.
來自互聯網
5. Your middle phalanx are broken and I will splint it.