vortex -
n. (pl.
vortexes or vortices)
1 a mass of whirling fluid, esp. a whirlpool or whirlwind.
2 any whirling motion or mass.
3 a system, occupation, pursuit, etc., viewed as swallowing up or engrossing
those who approach it (the
vortex of society).
4 Physics a portion of fluid whose particles have rotatory
motion.
vortex-ring a vortex whose axis is a closed curve, e.g. a smoke-ring.
vortical adj. vortically adv. vorticity n. vorticose adj. vorticular adj. [L vortex -icis eddy, var. of VERTEX]
