Etymologically
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vortex

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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]

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