dervish
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of dervish
1575–85; < Turkish < Persian darvīsh poor man, beggar
Explanation
A dervish is a Muslim monk who is part of an order known for their wild ritualistic movements. A dervish's whirling is part of their religion. A dervish is a Muslim holy man who, like a monk, lives a simple life away from the temptations of the world. The marvelous thing about this form of asceticism (it does involve poverty and chastity) is that dancing, whirling, or howling is also permitted, depending on the kind of dervish you are. Some forms are still practiced in the Sufi sect of Islam. This is the source of the term whirling dervish, which can apply to anyone who spins.
Vocabulary lists containing dervish
Projekt 1065
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Fantastic Mr. Fox
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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 ● Sep. 9, 2025
“We’ve been here for less than three years and that’s been a whirling dervish of activity,” Boehly said in March.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2025
It’s a tough job, but Rebecca, an ebullient, wisecracking, fist-bumping whirling dervish, is more than up to the task and Sherman plays the offbeat role to the hilt.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2023
She's got this interesting mixture, but she's basically a whirling dervish of a human being.
From Salon ● Jun. 7, 2023
The dervish closed his eyes and cupped his outstretched hands, one facing upward to receive the Providence of God, and one facing down to pour it out for others—keeping nothing for himself.
From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
