tara

n. [ Russ. tarantas'. ] A low four-wheeled carriage used in Russia. The carriage box rests on two long, springy poles which run from the fore to the hind axletree. When snow falls, the wheels are taken off, and the body is mounted on a sledge. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ It. ] (Mus.) (a) A rapid and delirious sort of Neapolitan dance in 6-8 time, which moves in whirling triplets; -- so called from a popular notion of its being a remedy against the poisonous bite of the tarantula. Some derive its name from Taranto in Apulia. (b) Music suited to such a dance. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. E. Tarantulas L. Tarantulae [ NL., fr. It. tarantola, fr. L. Tarentum, now Taranto, in the south of Italy. ] (Zool.) Any one of several species of large spiders, popularly supposed to be very venomous, especially the European species (Tarantula apuliae). The tarantulas of Texas and adjacent countries are large species of Mygale. [ Written also tarentula. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Tarantula killer, a very large wasp (Pompilus formosus), which captures the Texan tarantula (Mygale Hentzii) and places it in its nest as food for its young, after paralyzing it by a sting. [ 1913 Webster ]