St. Vitus's dance

[ seynt vahy-tuh-siz dans ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. chorea ( def 2 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of St. Vitus's dance¹

First recorded in 1620–30; named after St. Vitus (3rd century), patron saint of those who have chorea

Example Sentences

One of the children was not insane, but suffering from chorea (St. Vituss dance) affecting the whole body.

From Project Gutenberg

A small hospital was appropriated to syphilitic patients, and persons suffering from itch, epilepsy, and St. Vituss dance.

From Project Gutenberg

He trembled almost as violently as a man attacked by St. Vituss dance.

From Project Gutenberg