vortex

Where does the word "vortex" come from? It comes from Latin vertere, and was adopted directly into English (1650s).

Vortex’s story begins in Latin: vertere meant “to turn.” The root of 'vertex', 'vertigo' and 'convert'. It reached English by 1650s as vortex. Settled as the word for a whirling mass of fluid or air. Today, vortex means a whirling mass of air, water, or other fluid, especially a whirlpool.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient vertere "to turn", the root of 'vertex', 'vertigo' and 'convert'.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1650s vortex "a whirling mass of fluid or air", settled as the word for a whirling mass of fluid or air.