Definition

Noun: 1. A lively, whirling dance of Italian origin: A tarantelle is a fast, energetic folk dance for couples, traditionally from southern Italy. It is characterized by spinning movements and a quick tempo. 2. The music for such a dance: The term also refers to the musical composition that accompanies the tarantelle dance, typically written in a rapid 6/8 or 3/8 time signature.

Usage Examples

• As a dance:
  • The festival featured a traditional tarantelle performed by local dancers.
  • They learned the steps to the lively tarantelle.
• As music:
  • The pianist played a brilliant tarantelle by Chopin.
  • The concert concluded with a frenetic tarantelle for violin and piano.

Advanced Usage

• The tarantelle has a folkloric origin linked to the belief that its frenzied dancing could cure the bite of the tarantula spider, a condition once called "tarantism."
• In classical music, composers like Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote stylized concert pieces titled "Tarantella" inspired by this folk dance.

Variants and Related Words

• Tarantella (noun): This is the more common Italian spelling and the standard form used in musical contexts (e.g., ). It is synonymous with "tarantelle."

Synonyms

• Folk dance
• Jig (a similar lively folk dance, though of different origin)

Different Meanings

• There are no significantly different meanings for this word. Its primary definitions are consistently tied to the specific Italian dance and its music.

Noun

1. a lively whirling Italian dance for two persons