n. (pl. phalanxes or phalanges)
1. Gk Antiq. a line of battle, esp. a body of Macedonian infantry drawn up in close order.
2 a set of people etc. forming a compact mass, or banded for a common purpose.
3 a bone of the finger or toe.
4 Bot. a bundle of stamens united by filaments.
Etymology: L f. Gk phalagx -ggos