noun
Dervish
DUR-vihsh
Dervish (noun) means a member of a Sufi Muslim order known for ascetic living and, in some traditions, ritual spinning dances. Example: “Tourists gathered to watch the whirling dervishes perform in Istanbul.”
noun
1
A member of a Sufi Muslim order known for ascetic living and, in some traditions, ritual spinning dances.
"Tourists gathered to watch the whirling dervishes perform in Istanbul."
How to use Dervish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA Sufi mystic devoted to simple living and spiritual practice, sometimes associated with the famous spinning dance.
Common pairings
whirling dervish
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Word forms
- Plural
- Dervishes
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Tourists gathered to watch the whirling _____ perform in Istanbul.
Etymology
From Turkish dervis, from Persian darvish, "poor, mendicant."
Frequently asked questions
What does “Dervish” mean?
The word “Dervish” means a member of a Sufi Muslim order known for ascetic living and, in some traditions, ritual spinning dances. In plain terms, a Sufi mystic devoted to simple living and spiritual practice, sometimes associated with the famous spinning dance.
How do you pronounce “Dervish”?
“Dervish” is pronounced DUR-vihsh (/ˈdɜː(ɹ)vɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Dervish” in a sentence?
Here is “Dervish” used in a sentence: “Tourists gathered to watch the whirling dervishes perform in Istanbul.”
What part of speech is “Dervish”?
“Dervish” is a noun.
Where does the word “Dervish” come from?
The word “Dervish” comes from Persian. From Turkish dervis, from Persian darvish, "poor, mendicant.".
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