1. tight group: a group of people, animals, or objects that are moving or standing closely together
2. ancient troop formation: especially in ancient Greece, a group of soldiers that attacked in close formation, protected by their overlapping shields and projecting spears
3. (pluralpha·lan·ges)finger and toe bone: a finger or toe bone of a human being or vertebrate animal
[Mid-16th century. Via Latin (stem phalang-) < Greek phalagx "line of battle, finger or toe bone"]
