Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

dervish

noun
/ˈdərvɪʃ/
Definition
A member of a Muslim religious group known for their ascetic lifestyle and expressive dancing.
Examples
  • He watched the dervishes perform their mystical dance in the courtyard.
  • The dervish spun gracefully, lost in his own world of spirituality.
  • Many tourists are fascinated by the tradition of the dervish ceremonies.
Meaning
Dervishes seek to attain spiritual perfection and often engage in whirling dances as a form of devotion.
Synonyms
  • ascetic
  • mystic
  • Sufi