vortex

[vawr-teks] /ˈvɔr tɛks/
noun, plural vortexes, vortices
[vawr-tuh-seez] /ˈvɔr təˌsiz/ (Show IPA)
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.
Origin
1645-55; < Latin, variant of vertex vertex
Can be confused
vertex, vortex.
Examples from the web for vortex
  • Whether their motives are missionary or mercenary, all are ultimately sucked into the vortex of an epic-and tragic-struggle.
  • We have found the vortex to generate double-spiral waves.
  • The tornado centrifuge works on the same principle as the vortex vacuum cleaners.
  • Imagine an electromagnetic fluid vortex spinning at supersonic velocity.
  • Imagine a quantum fluid vortex spinning above light velocity.
  • From this date the scanty memorials of private life are altogether swallowed up in the vortex of public affairs.
  • The financial sector was swept into the vortex of declining farm incomes.
  • The liquid is spun to create a vortex inside the sphere that forms a vertical cavity in the middle.
  • Even then he is nothing if he has not conquered fear, for he lives in a vortex of violence in the world's fastest team sport.
  • Dolphins and gannets blast through a shimmering, pulsing vortex of fish in these up-close glimpses of an underwater buffet.
British Dictionary definitions for vortex

vortex

/ˈvɔːtɛks/
noun (pl) -texes, -tices (-tɪˌsiːz)
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
Derived Forms
vortical, adjective
vortically, adverb
Word Origin
C17: from Latin: a whirlpool; variant of vertex
Word Origin and History for vortex
n.

1650s, "whirlpool, eddying mass," from Latin vortex, variant of vertex "an eddy of water, wind, or flame; whirlpool; whirlwind," from stem of vertere "to turn" (see versus). Plural form is vortices. Became prominent in 17c. theories of astrophysics (by Descartes, etc.). In reference to human affairs, it is attested from 1761. Vorticism as a movement in British arts and literature is attested from 1914, coined by Ezra Pound.

vortex in Medicine

vortex vor·tex (vôr'těks')
n. pl. vor·tex·es or vor·ti·ces (-tĭ-sēz')
A spiral motion of fluid within a limited area, especially a whirling mass of water or air that sucks everything near it toward its center.

vortex in Science
vortex
  (vôr'těks')   
Plural vortexes or vortices (vôr'tĭ-sēz')
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. See also eddy.