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Vortex vs Whirl - What's the difference?

vortex | whirl |

As nouns the difference between vortex and whirl

is that vortex is a whirlwind, whirlpool, or similarly moving matter in the form of a spiral or column while whirl is an act of whirling.

As a verb whirl is

to rotate, revolve, spin or turn rapidly.

vortex

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • A whirlwind, whirlpool, or similarly moving matter in the form of a spiral or column.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-03
    • , author=Frank Fish, George Lauder , title=Not Just Going with the Flow , volume=101, issue=2, page=114 , magazine= citation , passage=An extreme version of vorticity is a vortex'''''. The ' vortex is a spinning, cyclonic mass of fluid, which can be observed in the rotation of water going down a drain, as well as in smoke rings, tornados and hurricanes.}}
  • (figuratively) Anything that involves constant violent or chaotic activity around some centre.
  • (figuratively) Anything that inevitably draws surrounding things into its current.
  • (historical) A supposed collection of particles of very subtle matter, endowed with a rapid rotary motion around an axis which was also the axis of a sun or planet; part of a Cartesian theory accounting for the formation of the universe, and the movements of the bodies composing it.
  • (zoology) Any of numerous species of small Turbellaria belonging to Vortex and allied genera.

    • Quotations

    2004': the consumer '''vortex that is East Hampton — ''The New Yorker, 30 August 2004, p.38

    Related terms

    * vortical * vorticity

    See also

    * eddy * ley line * maelstrom

    References

    * * English nouns with irregular plurals ----

    whirl

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (label) To rotate, revolve, spin or turn rapidly.
  • * (John Dryden) (1631-1700)
    • He whirls his sword around without delay.
  • * 1900 , , (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz)
    • The house whirled around two or three times and rose slowly through the air. Dorothy felt as if she were going up in a balloon.
  • (label) To have a sensation of spinning or reeling.
  • (label) To make something or someone whirl.
  • (label) To remove or carry quickly with, or as with, a revolving motion; to snatch.
  • * (John Milton) (1608-1674)
    • See, see the chariot, and those rushing wheels, / That whirled the prophet up at Chebar flood.
  • * (1809-1892)
    • The passionate heart of the poet is whirl'd into folly.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An act of whirling.
    • She gave the top a whirl and it spun across the floor.
  • Something that whirls.
  • A confused tumult.
  • A rapid series of events
    • My life is one social whirl .
  • Dizziness or giddiness.
  • A brief experiment or trial.
    • OK, let's give it a whirl .

    Derived terms

    * whirligig * whirlpool English terms with homophones