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Latin. n. Phalanx, compact body of heavy infantry, battalion, men in battle formation.

 - n. pl. Phalanxes L. Phalanges. (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. Any body of troops or men formed in close array, or any combination of people distinguished for firmness and solidity of a union. A Fourierite community; a phalanstery. (Anat.) One of the digital bones of the hand or foot, beyond the metacarpus or metatarsus; an internode. [pl. ...