[ ˌtar(ə)n'tɛlə ]
(also tarantelle -'tɛl )
■ noun a rapid whirling dance originating in southern Italy.
↘a piece of music written in fast 6/8 time in the style of this dance.
Origin
C18: Ital., from the name of the Italian seaport Taranto ; the dance was thought to be a cure for tarantism; cf. tarantula .