vortex

[ vawr-teks ]

noun

, plural vor·ti·ces [vawr, -t, uh, -seez], vor·tex·es.

1. a whirling mass of water, especially one in which a force of suction operates, as a whirlpool.
2. a whirling mass of air, especially one in the form of a visible column or spiral, as a tornado. polar vortex.
3. a whirling mass of fire, flame, etc.
4. a state of affairs likened to a whirlpool for violent activity, irresistible force, etc.
5. something regarded as drawing into its powerful current everything that surrounds it:

   the vortex of war.

6. (in Cartesian philosophy) a rapid rotatory movement of cosmic matter about a center, regarded as accounting for the origin or phenomena of bodies or systems of bodies in space.

vortex

/ ˈvɔːtɛks /

noun

1. a whirling mass or rotary motion in a liquid, gas, flame, etc, such as the spiralling movement of water around a whirlpool
2. any activity, situation, or way of life regarded as irresistibly engulfing

vortex

/ vôr′tĕks′ /

, Plural vortexes vôr′tĭ-sēz′

1. A circular, spiral, or helical motion in a fluid (such as a gas) or the fluid in such a motion. A vortex often forms around areas of low pressure and attracts the fluid (and the objects moving within it) toward its center. Tornados are examples of vortexes; vortexes that form around flying objects are a source of turbulence and drag.
2. See also eddy

Derived Forms

• ˈvortically, adverb
• ˈvortical, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vortex¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin, variant of vertex vertex

Word History and Origins

Origin of vortex¹

C17: from Latin: a whirlpool; variant of vertex

Example Sentences

Mary Elizabeth Williams of Salon labels the show a “crass stunt” on a “bottom-feeding vortex of sadness network.”

From The Daily Beast

Yet not everyone is caught up this vortex of paralysis and resentment.

From The Daily Beast

She would leave every day of shooting during the polar vortex just grinning from ear-to-ear.

From The Daily Beast

No, that would be Baia, a popular Roman resort once described by Seneca the Younger as a “vortex of luxury” (sign me up).

From The Daily Beast

Undeterred by the crippling polar vortex that's left heaps of snow lying unceremoniously at every turn.

From The Daily Beast

With a gasp she felt herself falling straight down through a swirling vortex of sensation, to the very sand-bed of the stream.

From Project Gutenberg

He had now come to the verge of the whirlpool of destruction, and, in a frenzied moment, he threw himself into the awful vortex!

From Project Gutenberg

"She dies in a flurry," said Tom, casting his eyes at the little vortex into which the boat was then entering.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a narrow, sharp rock, that jutted out about two feet from the bank, quite close to the vortex of the whirlpool.

From Project Gutenberg

Up from the horizon they would mount, forming a vortex overhead, soundless within the silence of the ether.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dust devil
• tornado
• tourbillion
• whirlwind