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

This sets off a chain reaction of events culminating in the creation of a “polar vortex” with more extreme cold, storminess and snow.

From Salon

And here we are again, caught in a swirling vortex from which we can't seem to escape.

From Salon

Kaplan is drawn into a vortex of elongated time, where a day turns into a week turns into a month and where deadlines are written on water.

From Los Angeles Times

Murphy has dropped a few hints in interviews in saying he was inspired by the sinking feeling that the world is ending, sucked into the vortex of a death spiral between good and evil.

From Salon

For some animals, like genetically isolated mountain lions in Southern California’s Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains, safe passage across whizzing freeways and concrete landscapes could stave off an extinction vortex.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dust devil
• tornado
• tourbillion
• whirlwind