vortex:1.a whirling mass of water, esp. one in which a force of suction operates, as a whirlpool.

2.a whirling mass of air, esp. one in the form of a visible column or spiral, as a tornado.

3.a whirling mass of fire, flame, etc.

4.a state of affairs likened to a whirlpool for violent activity, irresistible force, etc.

5.something regarded as drawing into its powerful current everything that surrounds it: the vortex of war.

6.(in Cartesian philosophy) a rapid rotatory movement of cosmic matter about a center, regarded as accounting for the origin or phenomena of bodies or systems of bodies in space.