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Origin and history of vertex

vertex(n.)

1560s, in geometry, "the point opposite the base of a figure," from Latin vertex (plural vertices) "highest point," literally "the turning point," originally "whirling column, whirlpool," from vertere "to turn" (from PIE root *wer- (2) "to turn, bend").

The meaning "point in the heavens directly overhead," also generally, "highest point" of anything is by 1640s. Vertex was used late 14c. in English medical writing as "top of the head." Also compare vortex.

also from 1560s

Entries linking to vertex

vortex(n.)

1650s as a term in cosmology (see below); c. 1700, "a whirl, whirlpool, eddying mass," from Latin vortex, variant of vertex "an eddy of water, wind, or flame; a whirlpool; a whirlwind," from stem of vertere "to turn" (from PIE root *wer- (2) "to turn, bend"). The plural is vortices. Etymologically it is a Latin variant of vertex, "though ancient grammarians attempted to distinguish them" [Century Dictionary].

It was prominent in late 17c. cosmology (Descartes) in reference to an invisible rotating ether supposed to fill all space. The theory is long discarded, but it spun off figurative senses (by 1704) and perhaps influenced later meanings.

In reference to human affairs, "state of great interest," it is attested from 1761; the figurative sense of "situation which draws one steadily in" is by 1779.

Vorticism as a movement in British arts and literature is attested from 1914, coined by Ezra Pound. Related: Vortical; vorticist; vorticity; vorticose; vorticular; vortiginous.

vertical(adj.)

1550s, "of or at the vertex, situated at the highest point, directly overhead," from French vertical (1540s), from Late Latin verticalis "overhead," from Latin vertex (genitive verticis) "highest point" (see vertex).

The meaning "placed or directed straight up and down, being in a position or direction perpendicular to the horizon" is attested by 1704. As a noun meaning "the vertical position or line" from 1834. Related: Vertically; verticality.

*wer-(2)

Proto-Indo-European root forming words meaning "to turn, bend."

It might form all or part of: adverse; anniversary; avert; awry; controversy; converge; converse (adj.) "exact opposite;" convert; diverge; divert; evert; extroversion; extrovert; gaiter; introrse; introvert; invert; inward; malversation; obverse; peevish; pervert; prose; raphe; reverberate; revert; rhabdomancy; rhapsody; rhombus; ribald; sinistrorse; stalwart; subvert; tergiversate; transverse; universe; verbena; verge (v.1) "tend, incline;" vermeil; vermicelli; vermicular; vermiform; vermin; versatile; verse (n.) "poetry;" version; verst; versus; vertebra; vertex; vertigo; vervain; vortex; -ward; warp; weird; worm; worry; worth (adj.) "significant, valuable, of value;" worth (v.) "to come to be;" wrangle; wrap; wrath; wreath; wrench; wrest; wrestle; wriggle; wring; wrinkle; wrist; writhe; wrong; wroth; wry.

It might also be the source of: Sanskrit vartate "turns round, rolls;" Avestan varet- "to turn;" Hittite hurki- "wheel;" Greek rhatane "stirrer, ladle;" Latin vertere (frequentative versare) "to turn, turn back, be turned; convert, transform, translate; be changed," versus "turned toward or against;" Old Church Slavonic vrŭteti "to turn, roll," Russian vreteno "spindle, distaff;" Lithuanian verčiu, versti "to turn;" German werden, Old English weorðan "to become;" Old English -weard "toward," originally "turned toward," weorthan "to befall," wyrd "fate, destiny," literally "what befalls one;" Welsh gwerthyd "spindle, distaff;" Old Irish frith "against."