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Another word for vortex

a-z
Noun
      1. A curve on a plane that winds around a fixed center point at a continuously increasing or decreasing distance from the point.
      2. A three-dimensional curve that turns around an axis at a constant or continuously varying distance while moving parallel to the axis; a helix.
      3. Something having the form of such a curve:
      1. A tornado or less violent whirlwind occurring over water, consisting of a funnel-shaped whirling column of air and water droplets.
      2. A hole or pipe from which water is discharged.
      1. A rapidly rotating, generally vertical column of air, such as a tornado, dust devil, or waterspout.
      2. A tumultuous, confused rush.
      3. A destructive force or thing.
      1. A current, as of water or air, moving contrary to the direction of the main current, especially in a circular motion.
      2. A drift or tendency that is counter to or separate from a main current, as of opinion, tradition, or history.
      3. To move in or as if in an eddy or eddies:
      1. A rapidly rotating current of water; a vortex.
      2. Something, such as a situation, that is confusing or tumultuous and is easy to be drawn into or difficult to get out of:
      3. A bathtub or pool having jets of warm water that can be directed toward a body part as for therapeutic purposes.
© WEBSTER’S NEW WORLD® ROGET’S A-Z THESAURUS by Charlton Laird and the editors of Webster’s New World dictionaries. Copyright © 1999 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Sentence Examples

  • Hence in any infinitesimal part of the fluid the circulation is zero round every small plane curve passing through the vortex line; and consequently the circulation round any curve drawn on the surface of a vortex filament is zero.

  • Immediately afterwards Langton was drawn into the vortex of English politics.

  • The earth, or other planet, does not actually move round the sun; yet it is carried round the sun in the subtle matter of the great vortex, where it lies in equilibrium, - carried like the passenger in a boat, who may cross the sea and yet not rise from his berth.

  • The United States was, at this time, drawn into the vortex of European complications, and Adams, instead of taking advantage of the militant spirit which was aroused, patriotically devoted himself to securing peace with France, much against the wishes of Hamilton and of Hamilton's adherents in the cabinet.

  • A single vortex will remain at rest, and cause a velocity at any point inversely as the distance from the axis and perpendicular to its direction; analogous to the magnetic field of a straight electric current.

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