n., pl., pha·lanx·es, or pha·lan·ges (fə-lăn'jēz, fā-).
- A compact or close-knit body of people: "formed a solid phalanx in defense of the Constitution and Protestant religion" (G.M. Trevelyan).
- A formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears, developed by Philip II of Macedon and used by Alexander the Great.
- pl., phalanges. Anatomy. A bone of a finger or toe. Also called phalange.
- See phalanstery (sense ).
[Latin phalanx, phalang-, from Greek.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
