'Vortex wheel' definitions:

Definition of 'Vortex wheel'

From: GCIDE
  • Vortex \Vor"tex\, n.; pl. E. Vortexes, L. Vortices. [L. vortex, vertex, -icis, fr. vortere, vertere, to turn. See Vertex.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. A mass of fluid, especially of a liquid, having a whirling or circular motion tending to form a cavity or vacuum in the center of the circle, and to draw in towards the center bodies subject to its action; the form assumed by a fluid in such motion; a whirlpool; an eddy. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Cartesian System) A supposed collection of particles of very subtile matter, endowed with a rapid rotary motion around an axis which was also the axis of a sun or a planet. Descartes attempted to account for the formation of the universe, and the movements of the bodies composing it, by a theory of vortices. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of small Turbellaria belonging to Vortex and allied genera. See Illustration in Appendix. [1913 Webster]
  • Vortex atom (Chem.), a hypothetical ring-shaped mass of elementary matter in continuous vortical motion. It was conveniently regarded in certain early mathematical models as the typical form and structure of the chemical atom, but is no longer considered a useful model, having been superseded by quantum mechanics.
  • Vortex wheel, a kind of turbine. [1913 Webster +PJC]

Definition of 'vortex wheel'

From: GCIDE
  • Water wheel \Wa"ter wheel`\
  • 1. Any wheel for propelling machinery or for other purposes, that is made to rotate by the direct action of water; -- called an overshot wheel when the water is applied at the top, an undershot wheel when at the bottom, a breast wheel when at an intermediate point; other forms are called reaction wheel, vortex wheel, {turbine wheel}, etc. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The paddle wheel of a steam vessel. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. A wheel for raising water; a noria, or the like. [1913 Webster]