Pha"lanx (?), n.; pl.
Phalanxes (#), L. Phalanges (#).
[L., from Gr. ?.] 1. (Gr. Antiq.) A body
of heavy-armed infantry formed in ranks and files close and deep.
There were several different arrangements, the phalanx varying in
depth from four to twenty-five or more ranks of men. "In cubic
phalanx firm advanced." Milton.
The Grecian phalanx, moveless as a
tower.
Pope.
2. Any body of troops or men formed in close
array, or any combination of people distinguished for firmness and
solidity of a union.
At present they formed a united
phalanx.
Macaulay.
The sheep recumbent, and the sheep that grazed,
All huddling into phalanx, stood and gazed.
Cowper.
3. A Fourierite community; a
phalanstery.
4. (Anat.) One of the digital bones of
the hand or foot, beyond the metacarpus or metatarsus; an
internode.
5. [pl. Phalanges.] (Bot.)
A group or bundle of stamens, as in polyadelphous
flowers.