phalanxes
Tight military formations
Phalanxes is the plural of phalanx, a tight formation of soldiers with overlapping shields and extended spears, used by ancient Greek armies.
The word extends to any group standing together in solidarity: Phalanxes of reporters surrounded the courthouse.
In anatomy, the phalanges are the bones of the fingers and toes.
Ancient Greek heavy infantry
- shield-wallInterlocked defensive battle formation
- spearmanWarrior wielding long pole-weapon
- pikemenSoldiers armed with long-shafted weapons
- legionGreat number, or soldiers
cohort · infantry · warfare · combat · spartan · ancient · soldiers · warriors
Tapered splitting tool
- columnVertical structural element
- echelonLevel within hierarchy
- lineContinuous mark or queue
- squareRhombus with right angles
rank · file · interlocking · massed · tight-knit · disciplined · unified · advancing
Bones connecting wrist to fingers
- metatarsalsMidfoot long bones
- digitsSingle-place numerals
- proximalSituated nearest the origin
- middleCentral point or position
distal · knuckles · fingertip · tarsals · carpals · sesamoid · phalangeal · osteology
Allied group sharing interests
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
- united frontCoalition presenting as one
- solidarityUnity among allies
- cadreCore of trained personnel
contingent · front · faction · group · ranks · organized · mobilized · opposition
hoplites
Ancient Greek heavy infantry
- shield-wallInterlocked defensive battle formation
- spearmanWarrior wielding long pole-weapon
- pikemenSoldiers armed with long-shafted weapons
legion · cohort · infantry · warfare · combat · spartan · ancient · soldiers · warriors · shields
wedge
Tapered splitting tool
square · rank · file · interlocking · massed · tight-knit · disciplined · unified · advancing · impenetrable
metacarpals
Bones connecting wrist to fingers
- metatarsalsMidfoot long bones
- digitsSingle-place numerals
- proximalSituated nearest the origin
middle · distal · knuckles · fingertip · tarsals · carpals · sesamoid · phalangeal · osteology · flexion
bloc
Allied group sharing interests
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
- united frontCoalition presenting as one
- solidarityUnity among allies
cadre · contingent · front · faction · group · ranks · organized · mobilized · opposition · supporters
phalanxesskirmishers
Light troops in loose formation
guerrillas · irregular forces · open order · stragglers · ambushers
phalanxesdisarray
Lack of order
rabble · fragmentation · disorder · lone wolves · mob