1. A physical disorder that occurred in southern Italy in the 1400s to 1600s which was characterized by hysteria and frenzied, uncontrollable dancing: Tarantism was associated with the bite of a tarantula spider, but it was probably a psychosomatic condition where the mind influenced the body to create or to exacerbate an illness or to make it worse.

This unusual affliction of tarantism was associated with melancholy, stupor, madness, and an uncontrollable desire to dance that was violent and energetic and it often continued for three or four days and such dancing was considered the only cure for the tarantula venom.

2. Etymology: tarantism (also called tarantismo or tarantolismo) comes from the town of Taranto, Italy."