1. A violent or turbulent situation: "The country was caught in the maelstrom of war."
2. A whirlpool of extraordinary size or violence.
3. A situation marked by confusion, turbulence, strong feelings, violence, or destruction.
4. Etymology: from obsolete Dutch malen, "to grind, to whirl" (from Middle Dutch) + Dutch stroom, "stream".

Example in usage: "Hungary caught in a maelstrom; the country's financial woes put focus on prime issue confronting G-20 leaders."