noun

• (historical, plural phalanxes) An ancient Greek and Macedonian military unit that consisted of several ranks and files (lines) of soldiers in close array with joined shields and long spears.
• (historical sociology) A Fourierite utopian community; a phalanstery.
• (plural phalanxes or (rare) phalanges) A large group of people, animals or things, compact or closely massed, or tightly knit and united in common purpose.
• (anatomy, plural phalanges) One of the bones of the finger or toe.
• The brand name of a radar-controlled rapid fire 20mm Gatling-type machine gun, the Phalanx CIWS (pronounced see-wiz), deployed on U.S. Navy ships as a last line of defense against antiship cruise missiles.