Word to the Wise: Phalanx

In ancient Greece, a "phalanx" (FAY-langks) was a tight formation of heavily armed soldiers, with their shields joined and their spears overlapping. Today, we use the word to refer to any close-knit or compact group.

Example (as used by Richard Russo in a New York Times review of Dear American Airlines by Jonathan Miles): "Though alcohol has robbed him of wife, child, work, self-respect, and nearly his life, he still regards the phalanx of liquor bottles in the airport bar… as neglected, betrayed old friends."

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