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).
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)