Phalanx

n. pl. Phalanxes (#), L. Phalanges (#).

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.
2. Any body of troops or men formed in close array, or any combination of people distinguished for firmness and solidity of a union.
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. (Bot.) A group or bundle of stamens, as in polyadelphous flowers.