Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Phalanx \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.

Source : WordNet®

phalanx
     n 1: any of the bones (or phalanges) of the fingers or toes
     2: any closely ranked crowd of people
     3: a body of troops in close array