vortex

vor·tex  (vôrtks)

n. pl. vor·tex·es or vor·ti·ces (-t-sz)

1. 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.

2. A place or situation regarded as drawing into its center all that surrounds it: "As happened with so many theater actors, he was swept up in the vortex of Hollywood" New York Times.

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[Latin vortex, vortic-, variant of vertex, from vertere, to turn; see wer-² in Indo-European roots.]

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vortex [vor-tex, -tiss-seez]

Noun

pl -tices

1. a whirling mass or motion, such as a whirlpool or whirlwind

2. a situation which draws people into it against their will: the vortex of other people's problems [Latin: a whirlpool]

vortical adj

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vortex  (vôrtks)

Plural vortexes or vortices (vôrt-sz)

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.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	vortex - the shape of something rotating rapidly convolution, swirl, whirl round shape - a shape that is curved and without sharp angles
	2.	vortex - a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides) maelstrom, whirlpool 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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vortex

noun whirlpool, eddy, maelstrom, gyre, countercurrent