Definition of vortex

The word "vortex" has its roots in Latin. In the 14th century, the Latin word "vortex" was derived from "vortice", meaning "to whirl" or "to rotate". This Latin term is a combination of "vorte", meaning "whirling" or "twisting", and the suffix "-ce", which indicates movement. The word "vortex" was later adopted into Middle English as "vortex", and has since been used to describe a spinning or rotating fluid motion, such as a whirlpool or a tornado. In modern physics, a vortex can also refer to a region of swirling fluid motion, such as a whirlpool or a tornado. Over time, the word "vortex" has also been used metaphorically to describe intense or chaotic situations, such as a vortex of emotions or a vortex of activity. Today, the word remains an essential part of our scientific and everyday language, used to describe a wide range of phenomena.