tarantism

American  

[tar-uhn-tiz-uhm] / ˈtær ənˌtɪz əm /

Or tarentism

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.

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tarantism British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• tarantist noun

Etymology

Origin of tarantism

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

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.

From New York Times • Apr. 26, 2018

The modern medical name for it is tarantism, after the wild Italian folk dance, the tarantella.

From Time Magazine Archive

Indeed, Dr. H. Chomet, who diligently investigated the matter, never succeeded in finding a case of tarantism, nor was he able even to obtain a glimpse of one of these insects.

From Primitive Psycho-Therapy and Quackery by Lawrence, Robert Means

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.

From Primitive Psycho-Therapy and Quackery by Lawrence, Robert Means

Almost simultaneous with the dance of "St. With," there appeared in Italy and Arabia a mania very similar in character which was called "tarantism," which was supposed to originate in the bite of the tarantula.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)