'Dervise' definitions:

Definition of 'Dervise'

From: GCIDE
  • Dervish \Der"vish\, Dervise \Der"vise\, Dervis \Der"vis\, n. [Per. derw[=e]sch, fr. OPer. derew to beg, ask alms: cf. F. derviche.]
  • 1. A Turkish or Persian monk, especially one who professes extreme poverty and leads an austere life. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. One of the fanatical followers of the Mahdi, in the Sudan, in the 1880's. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  • 3. in modern times, a member of an ascetic Mohammedan sect notable for its devotional exercises, which include energetic chanting or shouting and rhythmic bodily movement, such as whirling, leading to a trance-like state or ecstasy. From these exercises the phrase whirling dervish is derived. [PJC]
  • 4. figuratively, a person who whirls or engages in frenzied activity reminiscent of the dervish[3] dancing. [PJC]