Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Vortex
Vor′tex
,Noun.
pl. E.
Vortexes
(#)
, L. Vortices
(#)
. 1.
A mass of fluid, especially of a liquid, having a whirling or circular motion tending to form a cavity or vacuum in the center of the circle, and to draw in towards the center bodies subject to its action; the form assumed by a fluid in such motion; a whirlpool; an eddy.
2.
(Cartesian System)
A supposed collection of particles of very subtile matter, endowed with a rapid rotary motion around an axis which was also the axis of a sun or a planet. Descartes attempted to account for the formation of the universe, and the movements of the bodies composing it, by a theory of vortices.
3.
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of small Turbellaria belonging to
Vortex
and allied genera. See Illustration in Appendix. Webster 1828 Edition
Vortex
VOR'TEX
,Noun.
plu.
1.
A whirlpool; a whirling or circular motion of water, forming a kind of cavity in the center of the circle, and in some instances, drawing in water or absorbing other things.2.
A whirling of the air; a whirlwind.3.
In the Cartesian system, the circular motion originally impressed on the particles of matter, carrying them around their own axes, and around a common center. By means of these vortices. Descartes attempted to account for the formation of the universe.Definition 2025
vortex
vortex
English
Noun
vortex (plural vortexes or vortices)
- 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”, in 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.
-
- (figuratively) Anything that involves constant violent or chaotic activity around some centre.
- (figuratively) Anything that inevitably draws surrounding things into its current.
- 1826, Mary Shelley, The Last Man, part 2, chapter 1
- In early youth, the living drama acted around me, drew my heart and soul into its vortex.
- 1826, Mary Shelley, The Last Man, part 2, chapter 1
- (historical) A supposed collection of particles of very subtle matter, endowed with a rapid rotary motion around an axis which was also the axis of a sun or planet; part of a Cartesian theory accounting for the formation of the universe, and the movements of the bodies composing it.
- (zoology) Any of numerous species of small Turbellaria belonging to Vortex and allied genera.
Quotations
2004: the consumer vortex that is East Hampton — The New Yorker, 30 August 2004, p.38
Related terms
Derived terms
Derived terms
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Translations
whirlpool
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anything involving violent or chaotic activity around some centre
anything which draws surrounding things
See also
References
- vortex in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
- vortex in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
Latin
Etymology
Archaic form of Latin vertex, from vertō.
Pronunciation
- (Classical) IPA(key): /ˈwor.teks/, [ˈwɔr.tɛks]
Noun
vortex m (genitive vorticis); third declension
Inflection
Third declension.
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | vortex | vorticēs |
| genitive | vorticis | vorticum |
| dative | vorticī | vorticibus |
| accusative | vorticem | vorticēs |
| ablative | vortice | vorticibus |
| vocative | vortex | vorticēs |
Descendants
References
- vortex in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- VORTEX in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition, 1883–1887)
- Félix Gaffiot (1934), “vortex”, in Dictionnaire Illustré Latin-Français, Paris: Hachette.