vor ‧ tex /ˈvɔːteks $ ˈvɔːr-/ BrE AmE noun ( plural vortices /-təsiːz, -tɪsiːz/ or vortexes ) [countable]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Modern Latin ; Origin: Latin vertex , vortex ; ⇨ ↑ vertex ]
1 . a mass of wind or water that spins quickly and pulls things into its centre
2 . [usually singular] written a situation that has a powerful effect on people’s lives and that influences their behaviour, even if they do not want it to
vortex of
the vortex of emotions surrounding the case