[vor.tex] n, pl vor.ti.ces also vor.tex.es [NL vortic-, vortex, fr. L vertex, vortex whirlpool--more at vertex] (1652) 1 a: a mass of fluid (as a liquid) with a whirling or circular motion that tends to form a cavity or vacuum in the center of the circle and to draw toward this cavity or vacuum bodies subject to its action; esp: whirlpool, eddy b: a region within a body of fluid in which the fluid elements have an angular velocity
2: something that resembles a whirlpool "the hellish ~ of battle --Time"