vortex

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Contents

English[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

vortex (plural vortexes or vortices)

  1. A whirlwind, whirlpool, or similarly moving matter in the form of a spiral or column.
    • 2013 March 1, Frank Fish, George Lauder, “Not Just Going with the Flow”, American Scientist, volume 101, number 2, page 114: 
      An extreme version of vorticity is a vortex. The vortex is a spinning, cyclonic mass of fluid, which can be observed in the rotation of water going down a drain, as well as in smoke rings, tornados and hurricanes.
  2. (figuratively) Anything that involves constant violent or chaotic activity around some centre.
  3. (figuratively) Anything which inevitably draws surrounding things into its current.

Quotations[edit]

2004: the consumer vortex that is East Hampton — The New Yorker, 30 August 2004, p.38

Related terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

See also[edit]

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Latin[edit]

Noun[edit]

vortex (genitive vorticis); m, third declension

  1. whirlpool, eddy, vortex

Inflection[edit]

Number Singular Plural
nominative vortex vorticēs
genitive vorticis vorticum
dative vorticī vorticibus
accusative vorticem vorticēs
ablative vortice vorticibus
vocative vortex vorticēs

Descendants[edit]