vortexes

Noun

vortex (plural vortices or vortexes)

1. A whirlwind, whirlpool, or similarly moving matter in the form of a spiral or column.
   • 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.2013 March, Frank Fish, George Lauder, “Not Just Going with the Flow”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 2, archived from the original on 01 May 2013, page 114
2. (figuratively) Anything that involves constant violent or chaotic activity around some centre.
   • It’s hard to imagine that there is any major American clothing brand that does not have a store in the consumer vortex that is East Hampton; […]2004 August 30, Rebecca Mead, “Flip-Flop Emergency”, in The New Yorker, page 38
3. (figuratively) Anything that inevitably draws surrounding things into its current.
   • In early youth, the living drama acted around me, drew my heart and soul into its vortex.1826, [Mary Shelley], chapter I, in The Last Man. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 17
4. (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.
   • Novv ſhou'd it happen that any of theſe Sun-like Bodies in the Centers of the ſeveral Vortices ſhou'd be ſo incruſtated and vveaken'd, as to be carried about in the Vortex of the true Sun, if it vvere of leſs Solidity, or leſs capable of Motion than the Globules, tovvards the extremity of the Solar...1705, George Cheyne, “Of the Physical Laws, and the Uniform Appearances of Nature. Law III. Corollary V.”, in Philosophical Principles of Natural Religion: […], London: […] George Strahan […], →OCLC...
5. Any of numerous species of small Turbellaria belonging to Vortex and allied genera.
6. (collective) A group of vultures or buzzards.
   • But when we reach the vortex of vultures, there he is.2002, Deborah Copaken, Shutterbabe: Adventures in Love and War, Random House Publishing Group, page 143

See all 7 meanings of vortex