Phalanx
/ˈfælæŋks/
nounC2
Definition
Phalanx means a large group of people or things arranged closely and firmly together, usually for protection or strength. It originally described an ancient military formation where soldiers stood close in rows with shields to defend and attack as one unit. Today, it can also refer to any strong, united group.
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See It in Action
Ancient military formation of soldiers standing close with shields
- •The Greek army formed a phalanx to defend against their enemies.
- •Soldiers in a phalanx moved forward together to break the enemy's line.
- •The phalanx was a key tactic in ancient battles.
Any close, united group arranged for strength or defense
- •A phalanx of protesters stood together in front of the building.
- •The team formed a phalanx to protect their goal during the game.
- •A phalanx of trees blocked the strong wind.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "phalanx" like "group" (A1 word), but a very tight, organized, and strong group that works together like one body
- ✓Picture soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder, holding big shields that connect to protect everyone—like a solid wall of people
- ✓It's the feeling of safety and power when you are with friends who stand closely together to protect each other
- ✓Sounds like "FAL-anks" → imagine a wall made of "falling tanks" standing strong and not moving, unbreakable
- ✓In stories about ancient Greece or Rome, armies used phalanxes to fight enemies by moving as one solid unit
- ✓NOT like "crowd" (a loose group of people standing anywhere), "phalanx" is tightly packed and very organized
- ✓NOT like "line" (just one row), "phalanx" is many rows and columns, forming a big block
- ✓NOT like "team" (may work together but not physically connected), "phalanx" is physically close and connected
Try Other Words
- •Formation: an arranged group, especially of people or things (Use when focusing on the way people or things are arranged)
- •Block: a solid mass or group (Use when emphasizing the solid, strong shape)
- •Line: a straight row of people or things (Use when the group is only one row, not many)
- •Array: a large and impressive group or arrangement (Use when the group is organized but not necessarily close or protective)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix) — the word is a single noun
- •Etymology: from Greek "phalanx," meaning "finger bone" or "line of soldiers"
- •Historical development: originally meant a bone in the finger or toe; then used for a line of soldiers standing close together like bones in a hand
- •Modern usage: used mostly to describe tight, strong groups, especially in military or organized contexts; also used metaphorically for any solid group
Reflect & Connect
•How does the idea of a phalanx help us understand teamwork and strength in groups?
•Can a modern group, like a sports team or company, be called a phalanx? What qualities would they need?
Fill in the blanks
1.The soldiers formed a phalanx to ___ their position against the enemy's attack.
2.In a phalanx, each member must stand ___ to support the others physically and mentally.
3.Unlike a loose crowd, a phalanx is ___ packed and moves as one unit.
4.The protesters stood in a phalanx, ___ a strong front to express their demands.
5.A phalanx is more than just a group; it is ___ together tightly for strength or defense.
6.When the team formed a phalanx, they ___ their goal from being scored on by the opponents.
7.The word phalanx originally referred to a bone in the ___ before it described soldiers.