vortex

noun

1. 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.

2. 2

   figurativeAnything 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; […]

   Montreal in the summer is a vortex of decadent food, 24-ounce cocktails and carefree people. We reveled in it, danced, swam in fountains.

3. 3

   figurativeAnything 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.

4. 4

   historicalA 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.

5. 5

   Any of numerous species of small Turbellaria belonging to Vortex and allied genera.

6. 6

   A group of vultures or buzzards.

   But when we reach the vortex of vultures, there he is.

   a vortex of vultures converges from all directions to compete viciously at the carcass

   On Pincushion, the slow vortex of vultures guides me back to earlier vultures circling a blown-out tire on Interstate 5 somewhere north of Eugene, Oregon.

   Bobby looked up, and once again noticed a vortex of buzzards circling somewhere behind Pistol Creek Camp.

verb

1. 1

   To mix using a vortex mixer.

Forms

plural

vortices, vortexes

past tense

vortexed

past participle

vortexed

present participle

vortexing

third person singular

vortexes