\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.