vortex

American  

[vawr-teks] / ˈvɔr tɛks /

noun

plural

vortices, vortexes

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.

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.

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vortex British  

/ 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

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vortex Scientific  

/ vôr′tĕks′ /

plural

vortexes

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

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Other Word Forms

• vortical adjective
• vortically adverb

Etymology

Origin of vortex

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

Example Sentences

“Did you at least prepare him for the vortex of evil that is the Seton brand—I mean, family?” she snarks merrily.

From The Wall Street Journal

One especially promising structure is the toroidal vortex of light, which forms a ring where the electromagnetic field curves back on itself into a stable, donut-like shape.

From Science Daily

We are finding refuge in books, both to make sense of the bad news vortex and to welcome escape.

From Los Angeles Times

Some research suggests climate change could be playing a role in disruptions to the polar vortex -- a vast region of cold, low-pressure air that normally circulates high above the Arctic.

From Barron's

The polar vortex - a ring of strong westerly winds that form above the Arctic every winter containing a pool of very cold air - led to the powerful storm, according to weather experts.

From BBC

Related Words

• dust devil
• tornado
• tourbillion
• whirlwind