TARANTISM

tarantism

(noun) a nervous disorder characterized by an uncontrollable impulse to dance; popularly attributed to bite of the southern European tarantula or wolf spider

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

tarantism (usually uncountable, plural tarantisms)

An extreme urge to dance, popularly thought to have been caused by the bite of a tarantula (Lycosa tarantula) and prevalent in southern Italy in the 15th through 17th centuries.

Synonyms: choreomania, dancing mania

Anagrams

• tintamars

Source: Wiktionary

Tar"ant*ism, n. Etym: [It. tarantismo: cf. F. tarentisme. See Tarantula.] (Med.)

Definition: A nervous affection producing melancholy, stupor, and an uncontrollable desire to dance. It was supposed to be produced by the bite of the tarantula, and considered to be incapable of cure except by protraced dancing to appropriate music. [Written also tarentism.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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