Definition of maelstrom
1
: a powerful often violent whirlpool sucking in objects within a given radius
tried to shoot the canoe across a stretch of treacherous maelstrom — Harper's
2
: something resembling a maelstrom in turbulence
the maelstrom enveloping the country a maelstrom of emotions
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for maelstrom
The first known use of maelstrom was in 1659
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