phalanges

[ fuh-lan-jeez ]

noun

1. a plural of phalanx.
2. plural of phalange.

Word History and Origins

Origin of phalanges¹

< Latin < Greek phálanges

Example Sentences

On Sunday, Barker shared graphic photos of his blood-stained pants and sanguinary phalanges, which took a beating after Blink-182’s set in Manchester, England.

From Los Angeles Times

I'd start with a small, manageable story: one hand has twenty-seven bones, split into three types—the carpals, the metacarpals, and the slippery phalanges.

From Salon

The phalanges fall into line like a picket fence with boards of varying lengths, the knuckles unknobby.

From Seattle Times

Still, what’s the appeal, one may ask, of having someone pay you to count your stretch marks, or selling pictures of your phalanges to strangers?

From New York Times

“I am pretty good at identifying human bones but human phalanges can sometimes be difficult to tell from other animals. It was a phalange that the trespasser picked up.”

From The Guardian

Related Words

• appendage
• fist
• grip
• palm