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Vortex definition

vôrtĕks
vortexes vortices
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Frequency:
A whirling mass of water forming a vacuum at its center, into which anything caught in the motion is drawn; whirlpool.
noun
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A place or situation regarded as drawing into its center all that surrounds it, and hence being inescapable or destructive.

A vortex of political infighting; a vortex of despair.

noun
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A whirling mass of water or air that sucks everything near it toward its center.
noun
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A whirl or powerful eddy of air; whirlwind.
noun
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The definition of a vortex is a whirl of water or air, or the center of something that draws the outside in.

An example of a vortex is a whirlpool.

noun
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A whirlwind, whirlpool, or similarly moving matter in the form of a spiral or column.
noun
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(figuratively) Anything that involves constant violent or chaotic activity around some centre.
noun
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(figuratively) Anything which inevitably draws surrounding things into its current.
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Any activity, situation, or state of affairs that resembles a whirl or eddy in its rush, absorbing effect, catastrophic power, etc.
noun
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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.
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
vortex
Plural:
vortexes, vortices

Origin of vortex

  • Latin vortex vortic- variant of vertex from vertere to turn wer-2 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Vortex Sentence Examples

  • Hence in any infinitesimal part of the fluid the circulation is zero round every small plane curve passing through the vortex line; and consequently the circulation round any curve drawn on the surface of a vortex filament is zero.

  • Immediately afterwards Langton was drawn into the vortex of English politics.

  • Jenn looked to where the vortex had been.

  • This finer matter which collects in the centre of each vortex is the first matter of Descartes - it constitutes the sun or star.

  • The United States was, at this time, drawn into the vortex of European complications, and Adams, instead of taking advantage of the militant spirit which was aroused, patriotically devoted himself to securing peace with France, much against the wishes of Hamilton and of Hamilton's adherents in the cabinet.

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