dervish

[dur-vish]

noun

1. a member of any of various Muslim ascetic orders, as the Sufis, some of which carry on ecstatic observances, such as energetic dancing and whirling or vociferous chanting or shouting.

dervish

/ ˈdɜːvɪʃ /

noun

1. a member of any of various Muslim orders of ascetics, some of which ( whirling dervishes ) are noted for a frenzied, ecstatic, whirling dance

Other Word Forms

• dervish-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dervish¹

1575–85; < Turkish < Persian darvīsh poor man, beggar

Word History and Origins

Origin of dervish¹

C16: from Turkish: beggar, from Persian darvīsh mendicant monk

Example Sentences

One photo made front pages around the world: a lone protester dressed as a whirling dervish - in traditional costume plus gas mask – being pepper-sprayed by the police.

From BBC

His Sale team-mate Ben Curry, winning his 11th cap, was a dervish, winning turnovers and collisions alike.

From BBC

The Liverpool teenager, on loan at Middlesbrough, was a whirling dervish, a human blur taking the fight to Croatia.

From BBC

The dervish wore a white shroud, covered by a black robe and a black felt cap the shape of a thimble.

From Literature

When Wilder came in last time he was like a whirling dervish.

From BBC