\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}.]