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tarantism - 4 dictionary results
tar⋅ant⋅ism
[tar-uh
n-tiz-uhm] 
–noun
| a mania characterized by an uncontrollable impulse to dance, esp. as prevalent in southern Italy from the 15th to the 17th century, popularly attributed to the bite of the tarantula. Also, tarentism. Compare tarantula (def. 3). |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To tarantism
| tar·an·tism (tār'ən-tĭz'əm) n. A disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to dance, especially prevalent in southern Italy from the 15th to the 17th century and popularly attributed to the bite of a tarantula. [New Latin tarantismus, after Taranto.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Tarantism
Tar"ant*ism\, n. [It. tarantismo: cf. F. tarentisme. See Tarantula.] (Med.) 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 protracted dancing to appropriate music. [Written also tarentism.]
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Main Entry: tar·an·tism
Pronunciation: 'tar-&n-"tiz-&m
Function: noun
: a dancing mania or malady of late medieval Europe popularlyregarded as being caused by the bite of the European tarantula (Lycosa tarentula)
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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