tarantism

or tar·ent·ism

[ tar-uh n-tiz-uh m ]
/ ˈtær ənˌtɪz əm /

noun

a mania characterized by an uncontrollable impulse to dance, especially as prevalent in southern Italy from the 15th to the 17th century, popularly attributed to the bite of the tarantula.
Compare tarantula(def 3).

Origin of tarantism

From the New Latin word tarantismus, dating back to 1630–40. See Taranto, -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM tarantism

tar·ant·ist, noun

Words nearby tarantism

taranaki gate, taranaki wind, tarantass, tarantella, tarantino, tarantism, taranto, tarantula, tarantula nebula, tarapoto, tararua biscuit

Example sentences from the Web for tarantism

British Dictionary definitions for tarantism

tarantism
/ (ˈtærənˌtɪzəm) /

noun

a nervous disorder marked by uncontrollable bodily movement, widespread in S Italy during the 15th to 17th centuries: popularly thought to be caused by the bite of a tarantula

Word Origin for tarantism

C17: from New Latin tarantismus, from Taranto; see tarantula