phalanx

n.; pl. Phalanxes L. Phalanges [ L., from Gr. fa`lagx. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Grecian phalanx, moveless as a tower. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any body of troops or men formed in close array, or any combination of people distinguished for firmness and solidity of a union. [ 1913 Webster ]

At present they formed a united phalanx. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

The sheep recumbent, and the sheep that grazed,
All huddling into phalanx, stood and gazed. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A Fourierite community; a phalanstery. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Anat.) One of the digital bones of the hand or foot, beyond the metacarpus or metatarsus; an internode. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. [ pl. Phalanges. ] (Bot.) A group or bundle of stamens, as in polyadelphous flowers. [ 1913 Webster ]