GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found one definition

1.       
    Dervish (?), Dervise (?), Dervis (?),  n. [Per. derwēsch, 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 Muslim 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 dervish3 dancing.
   
   [PJC]