vortex Latin · revision 7301

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Accius|origins=la vertō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈwɔr.tɛks]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈvɔr.teks]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''vortex''' ''m'' (genitive vorticis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==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.^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) Quintilian cites ⟨vortex⟩ as an archaism, and the grammarian Caper's distinction of ⟨vortex⟩ “whirlpool” from ⟨vertex⟩ “top” is not borne out.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citation for a whirlpool is from Accius, of a mass that stirs up eddies.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Accius 170–c. 90 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==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.^(OLD 2012) As ''vertex'' it also meant the crown of the head, a summit, the zenith and a pole.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein explains that ''vortex'' is a weaker whirlwind that merely raises dust, ''turbō'' a strong one.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it is a form of ''vertex''.^(Stelten 1995) British Medieval Latin used ''vortex'' of a whirling mass of water, wind or smoke.^(DMLBS) [[en|vortex]] came in the 1650s as a term of cosmology, and about 1700 as “whirlpool”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 170–c. 90 BC – Accius uses it of eddies.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of whirlwinds.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of a whirlpool.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1650s – English ''vortex'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A whirlpool, eddy, [[m|en|vortex]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # A whirlwind; a column of smoke.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A spiral marking.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[vertex]]

+ * [[vertō]]

+ * [[turbō]]

+ * [[en|vortex]]

+ * [[en|vertex]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}