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Glite Dictionary
⚙️ A spinning device 🕺 A spinning dancer
whirler

whirler

9.9
A member of a Sufi group who spins in a religious dance to feel close to God
  • noun
  • /ˈwɜːr.lər/
translation icon : derviche
  • Crowds gathered to watch the whirler perform the traditional Sufi dance.

Examples

  • The whirler moved gracefully, her skirts billowing as she spun faster.

  • The whirler danced gracefully in the center of the stage.

  • Known as a whirler, he trains for years to master the art of spiritual spinning.

  • Many whirlers gather at the festival every year.

  • Crowds gathered to watch the whirler perform the traditional Sufi dance, their eyes fixed on her spinning form.

  • The whirler trained for years to master the intricate movements of the spiritual dance.

  • During the ceremony, the whirler twirled elegantly, his movements a symbol of devotion and spirituality.

Synonyms

dervish
vswhirler
7 9.9

A member of a Muslim religious group who spins in prayer and lives simply

focuses specifically on spinning ecstatic dance rather than varied devotional practices
whirling dervish
vswhirler
1 9.9

A person who spins in circles as a religious dance

is a general term for members across Sufi groups rather than one order

Surface Forms

whirler singular
whirlers plural

Morphology

whirler = whirl (semi-transparent) = whirl + er

Formally 'whirl' + '-er' is transparent, but this sense refers to a culturally specific religious dancer (a Sufi dervish), so full inference requires cultural knowledge.

Etymology

The word whirler also comes from the parts whirl ('to turn quickly') and -er ('one who does it'), and is used for a person who spins as part of a dance or ritual. That's why a whirler in Sufi practice is someone who turns and spins as a form of spiritual movement.