Saint Vitus' dance

noun

Saint Vi·​tus' dance -ˈvī-təs- How to pronounce Saint Vitus' dance (audio) -ˈvī-tə-səz- How to pronounce Saint Vitus' dance (audio)
variants or Saint Vitus's dance
-ˈvī-tə-səz- How to pronounce Saint Vitus' dance (audio)
or St. Vitus' dance
-ˈvī-təs- How to pronounce Saint Vitus' dance (audio) -ˈvī-tə-səz- How to pronounce Saint Vitus' dance (audio)
or St. Vitus's dance
-ˈvī-tə-səz- How to pronounce Saint Vitus' dance (audio)
: chorea
especially : sydenham's chorea

Word History

Etymology

St. Vitus, 3rd century Christian child martyr

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Saint Vitus' dance was in 1621

Dictionary Entries Near Saint Vitus' dance

Saint Vincent, Gulf

Saint Vitus' dance

Saionji

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Saint Vitus' dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Saint%20Vitus%27%20dance. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Medical Definition

Saint Vitus' dance

noun
Saint Vi·​tus' dance
variants or St. Vitus' dance
-ˌvīt-əs(-əz)- How to pronounce Saint Vitus' dance (audio)
or Saint Vitus dance or St. Vitus dance
-ˌvīt-əs- How to pronounce Saint Vitus' dance (audio)
or Saint Vitus's dance or St. Vitus's dance
-ˌvīt-əs(-əz)- How to pronounce Saint Vitus' dance (audio)
: chorea
especially : sydenham's chorea
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