St. Vitus's dance

Also St. Vi·tus dance

[seynt vahy-tuh-siz dans]

noun

Pathology.

1. chorea.

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

They were not only purported to treat the symptoms of an impressive array of conditions — including rheumatism, leprosy, eczema, acne, gout, insomnia, constipation, opium craving, barrenness, night sweats, dropsy, dyspepsia, diabetes, St. Vitus’s Dance, herpes, bronchitis, paralysis and insanity — but capable of elevating our souls.

From New York Times

“I would have to have St. Vitus’s Dance to weave a word like that into my web.”

From Literature

St. Vitus’s Dance is a neurological disorder, also known as Sydenham Chorea, associated with an uncontrollable jerking of the feet, hands and face.

From New York Times

The strain of the past few days had seriously affected his health; he was suffering from a kind of St. Vitus's dance.

From Project Gutenberg

Brückmann, and Hufeland relate cases of St. Vitus’s dance, cured by music, which, according to Desessarts, also relieved Catalepsy.

From Project Gutenberg