maelstrom

mael·strom  (mlstrm)

n.

1. A violent or turbulent situation: caught in the maelstrom of war.

2. A whirlpool of extraordinary size or violence.

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[Obsolete Dutch : Dutch malen, to grind, whirl (from Middle Dutch; see mel- in Indo-European roots) + Dutch stroom, stream (from Middle Dutch; see sreu- in Indo-European roots).]

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maelstrom [male-strom]

Noun

1. a large powerful whirlpool

2. any confused, violent, and destructive turmoil: a maelstrom of adulterous passion [Old Dutch malen to whirl round + stroom stream]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

maelstrom - a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides) whirlpool, vortex current, stream - a steady flow of a fluid (usually from natural causes); "the raft floated downstream on the current"; "he felt a stream of air"; "the hose ejected a stream of water" Charybdis - (Greek mythology) a ship-devouring whirlpool lying on the other side of a narrow strait from Scylla

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maelstrom

noun 1. whirlpool, swirl, eddy, vortex, Charybdis (literary)

noun 2. turmoil, disorder, confusion, chaos, upheaval, uproar, pandemonium, bedlam, tumult