dervish
|der/vish|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈdɜːrvɪʃ/
🇬🇧
/ˈdɜːvɪʃ/
ascetic seeker
Etymology
Etymology Information
'dervish' originates from the Persian word 'darvīsh', where 'dar-' meant 'door' and '-vīsh' meant 'seeker'.
Historical Evolution
'darvīsh' transformed into the Turkish word 'derviş', and eventually became the modern English word 'dervish'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a seeker at the door of enlightenment', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a member of a Sufi religious order'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a member of a Muslim (specifically Sufi) religious order noted for their ascetic lifestyle and often for their whirling dances and chanting.
The dervish performed a mesmerizing dance during the ceremony.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42