{ } 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 dervish{ 3 } dancing. [ PJC ]