tarantism

Or tar·ent·ism

[tar-uhn-tiz-uhm]

noun

1. 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.

tarantism

/ ˈtærənˌtɪzəm /

noun

1. 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

Other Word Forms

• tarantist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarantism¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarantism¹

C17: from New Latin tarantismus, from _Taranto ; see _tarantula

Example Sentences

Tarantella, the name of an Italian folk dance, derives from tarantism, a form of hysteria marked by compulsive movement that swept the country’s southern region starting in the 15th century.

Read more on New York Times

Their venom doesn’t affect humans, but from the 11th century into the 17th, people thought it caused a form of mania called tarantism that could be calmed only by a frenzied dance called the tarantella.

Read more on Washington Times

The Netherlands and France were equally affected; in Italy the disease became known as tarantism, it being supposed to proceed from the bite of the tarantula, a venomous spider.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

The same agent was also used as an antidote to the poison of a viper's fang, especially the tarantula's bite, which was believed to induce tarantism, or the dancing mania.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

Historians would draw parallels between her recurring Voices and the "tarantism" of the Middle Ages.

Read more on Project Gutenberg