phalanx
/ˈflæŋks; `felæŋks/ n
(pl phalanges / fəˈlændʒi:z; fə`lændʒiz/ or ~es)
1 (in ancient Greece) close formation, esp of infantry ready for battle （古希腊）方阵（尤指步兵作战时的）.
2 number of people standing together to form a compact mass 密集队形
a phalanx of riot police 防暴警察的密集队伍.
3 (anatomy 解) any of the bones in a finger or toe 指骨; 趾骨. => illus at skeleton 见skeleton插图.