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.