mael ‧ strom /ˈmeɪlstrəm/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Origin: Early Dutch , from malen 'to break into powder' + strom 'stream' ]
1 . a confusing situation full of events or strong emotions that is difficult to understand or deal with SYN whirlpool
maelstrom of
a maelstrom of conflicting emotions
2 . dust or water that moves very quickly in circles:
A spinning maelstrom of rain swept around the mountain.
3 . a violent storm