First Known Use: 1682
Dictionary
maelstrom
noun mael·strom \ˈmāl-strəm, -ˌsträm\
: a situation in which there are a lot of confused activities, emotions, etc.
: a dangerous area of water that moves very fast in a circle
Full Definition of MAELSTROM
1
: a powerful often violent whirlpool sucking in objects within a given radius
2
: something resembling a maelstrom in turbulence
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Origin of MAELSTROM
obsolete Dutch (now maalstroom), from malen to grind + strom stream
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