vortex

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈwɔr.tɛks]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈvɔr.teks]^[1]

Forms

vortex m (genitive vorticis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from vortō, the older form of vertō “to turn”, and is the archaic spelling of vertex; the OLD compares pōdex for the ending.^[1][2][3] Quintilian cites ⟨vortex⟩ as an archaism, and the grammarian Caper's distinction of ⟨vortex⟩ “whirlpool” from ⟨vertex⟩ “top” is not borne out.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation for a whirlpool is from Accius, of a mass that stirs up eddies.^[2] Köbler dates Accius 170–c. 90 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant a swirling mass of water, a whirlpool, eddy, as Virgil's rapidus vorat aequore vortex “the swift whirlpool swallows the ship”, a whirlwind or column of smoke, as in Lucretius, and in Pliny a spiral marking.^[2] As vertex it also meant the crown of the head, a summit, the zenith and a pole.^[2] Döderlein explains that vortex is a weaker whirlwind that merely raises dust, turbō a strong one.^[5]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it is a form of vertex.^[6] British Medieval Latin used vortex of a whirling mass of water, wind or smoke.^[7] English vortex came in the 1650s as a term of cosmology, and about 1700 as “whirlpool”.^[8]

Timeline

• 170–c. 90 BC – Accius uses it of eddies.^[2][4]
• 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of whirlwinds.^[2][4]
• 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of a whirlpool.^[2][4]
• 1650s – English vortex is recorded.^[8]

Meanings

Noun

1. A whirlpool, eddy, vortex.^[2]
2. A whirlwind; a column of smoke.^[2]
3. A spiral marking.^[2]

Related words

• vertex
• vertō
• turbō
• English vortex
• English vertex

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
6. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
7. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
8. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com