Main Entry: vor·tex

Pronunciation: \ˈvȯr-ˌteks\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural vor·ti·ces \ˈvȯr-tə-ˌsēz\ also vor·tex·es \ˈvȯr-ˌtek-səz\

Etymology: New Latin vortic-, vortex, from Latin vertex, vortex whirlpool — more at vertex

Date: 1652

1 : something that resembles a whirlpool <the hellish vortex of battle — Time>
2 a : a mass of fluid (as a liquid) with a whirling or circular motion that tends to form a cavity or vacuum in the center of the circle and to draw toward this cavity or vacuum bodies subject to its action; especially : whirlpool, eddy b : a region within a body of fluid in which the fluid elements have an angular velocity