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

Derived Forms

• ˈdervish-ˌlike, 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

But he was a whirling dervish of energy and could outwork his critics.

From The Daily Beast

The son is a more polished, if less genuine, character than the whirling-dervish, passionate, and even bombastic icon of a father.

From The Daily Beast

Bailey got the job and proceeded to “work like a whirling dervish.”

From The Daily Beast

His earthliness places him not among those larger-than-life kind of heroes, but among the humble, quiet ones—a dervish hero.

From The Daily Beast

A whisper at Ispahan, 'Kerbogha is of the Ismaelians; he moves disguised as a dervish to seduce the emirs.'

From Project Gutenberg

The Dervish wore long hair, and was dressed in a garment entirely made up of patches of cloth of various colours.

From Project Gutenberg

To use force against a dervish would be looked upon as an exceedingly unpropitious affair to the true believer.

From Project Gutenberg

Stern had to take precautions for his safety, adopting native dress and passing as the "Dervish Abdallah."

From Project Gutenberg

Dressed as a dervish he passed through all these countries unhurt, but was often in danger.

From Project Gutenberg