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Dervish - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A dervish is a member of a Muslim religious group known for their whirling dances as a form of worship. The term also describes someone who moves with energetic, spinning motions.

dervish

/ˈdɜːrvɪʃ/ /ˈdɜːvɪʃ/

Definition:

A member of a Muslim ascetic order known for ecstatic rituals and whirling dances.

Synonyms:

mystic, ascetic, Sufi, holy man

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

skeptic, materialist, atheist

Common Collocations:

whirling dervish, Sufi dervish, dervish order, dervish dance

Derivatives:

dervishlike, dervishhood

Usage Tips:

Use "dervish" to describe a Sufi mystic or someone moving energetically like one in a whirl.

Common Phrases:

whirling dervish, dancing like a dervish, dervish ceremony

Etymology:

From Persian "darwīsh," meaning poor or needy, referring to the ascetic lifestyle of Sufi mystics.

Examples:

  • 1. The dervish spun gracefully during the ceremony.
  • 2. She moved like a whirling dervish across the stage.
  • 3. The Sufi dervish chanted prayers late into the night.
  • 4. His frantic cleaning made him resemble a dervish.

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