glossolalia

American  

[glos-uh-ley-lee-uh, glaw-suh-] / ˌglɒs əˈleɪ li ə, ˌglɔ sə- /

noun

1. incomprehensible speech in an imaginary language, sometimes occurring in a trance state, an episode of religious ecstasy, or schizophrenia.

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glossolalia British  

/ ˌɡlɒsəˈleɪlɪə /

noun

1. another term for gift of tongues

2. psychol babbling in a nonexistent language

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Other Word Forms

• glossolalist noun

Etymology

Origin of glossolalia

First recorded in 1875–80; glosso- + -lalia

Example Sentences

Former members and rare published accounts from observers describe the expressions of glossolalia, or speaking in tongues, as relatively low-key — murmured private prayers, for instance.

From New York Times • Oct. 8, 2020

I am tempted to joke that Feinstein was envisioning a Supreme Court justice who might at any moment lapse into glossolalia — a word that should be used whenever possible and means speaking in tongues.

From Washington Post • Sep. 27, 2020

Among their more noteworthy vivisections were Thompson’s 37-point quarter against the Sacramento Kings and Curry’s game-winner against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a moment that gave Mike Breen glossolalia.

From Slate • Oct. 31, 2018

Meanwhile, save for when goalline technology sent Jonathan Pearce spinning into a Chiles-style glossolalia, the BBC had a strong tournament, with Rio Ferdinand proving an especially welcome addition to their panel.

From The Guardian • Jul. 9, 2014

There are a few genuine adepts present who throw themselves rapturously into the music, eyes shut, arms upraised, waiting, no doubt, for the onset of glossolalia.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich