phalanx

Main Entry: pha·lanx 

Pronunciation: \ˈfā-ˌlaŋ(k)s, British usually ˈfa-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural pha·lanx·es or pha·lan·ges \fə-ˈlan-(ˌ)jēz, fā-, ˈfā-ˌ, British usually fa-\

Etymology: Latin phalang-, phalanx, from Greek, battle line, digital bone, literally, log — more at balk

Date: 1553

1 : a body of heavily armed infantry in ancient Greece formed in close deep ranks and files; broadly : a body of troops in close array
2 plural phalanges : one of the digital bones of the hand or foot of a vertebrate
3 plural usually phalanxes a : a massed arrangement of persons, animals, or things {a phalanx of armed guards} b : an organized body of persons {a phalanx of lawyers}