idioglossia

[ id-ee-uh-glos-ee-uh, -glaw-see-uh ]

noun

1. a private form of speech invented by one child or by children who are in close contact, as twins.
2. a pathological condition characterized by speech so distorted as to be unintelligible.

idioglossia

/ ˌɪdɪəʊˈɡlɒsɪə /

noun

1. a private language, as invented by a child or between two children, esp twins
2. a pathological condition in which a person's speech is so severely distorted that it is unintelligible

Other Words From

• id·i·o·glot·tic [id-ee-, uh, -, glot, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of idioglossia¹

1890–95; < Greek idióglōss ( os ) of distinct or peculiar tongue ( idio- idio- + -glōssos, adj. derivative of glôssa tongue) + -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of idioglossia¹

C19: from Greek idios private, separate + glossa tongue