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 1913.