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

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

From BBC

The dervish grew the pillar of fire outward toward the corners of the room and the open windows.

From Literature

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

From BBC

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

During Ultimate, I felt like I was chasing a whirling dervish around the field.

From Seattle Times