Vortex

['vɔːteks] or ['vɔrtɛks]

Definition

(n.) A mass of fluid, especially of a liquid, having a whirling or circular motion tending to form a cavity or vacuum in the center of the circle, and to draw in towards the center bodies subject to its action; the form assumed by a fluid in such motion; a whirlpool; an eddy.

(n.) A supposed collection of particles of very subtile matter, endowed with a rapid rotary motion around an axis which was also the axis of a sun or a planet. Descartes attempted to account for the formation of the universe, and the movements of the bodies composing it, by a theory of vortices.

(n.) Any one of numerous species of small Turbellaria belonging to Vortex and allied genera. See Illustration in Appendix.

Editor: Maggie

Synonyms and Synonymous

n. Whirl, whirlpool, eddy.

Typist: Nora

Definition

n. a whirling motion of a fluid forming a cavity in the centre: a whirlpool: an eddy having a rotational motion of the smallest visible portion in the centre:—pl. Vor′tices Vor′texes.—ns. Vor′tex-ring (phys.) a vortical molecular filament or column forming a ring composed of a number of small rotating circles placed side by side—e.g. the smoke-rings emitted by a skilful cigarette-smoker; Vor′tex-thē′ory the theory that matter is ultimately composed of vortices in a fluid—a conception due to Lord Kelvin.—adj. Vor′tical whirling.—adv. Vor′tically.—adjs. Vor′ticose Vortic′ūlar Vortiginal (-ij′-) Vortiginous (-ij′-).

Typed by Betsy