n. (pl. vortexes or vortices) 1 a mass of whirling fluid, esp. a whirlpool or whirlwind. 2 any whirling motion or mass. 3 a system, occupation, pursuit, etc., viewed as swallowing up or engrossing those who approach it (the vortex of society). 4 Physics a portion of fluid whose particles have rotatory motion. vortex-ring a vortex whose axis is a closed curve, e.g. a smoke-ring. vortical adj. vortically adv. vorticity n. vorticose adj. vorticular adj.
[ L vortex -icis eddy, var. of VERTEX ]