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glossolalia

[ glos-uh-ley-lee-uh, glaw-suh- ]
/ ˌglɒs əˈleɪ li ə, ˌglɔ sə- /
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noun
incomprehensible speech in an imaginary language, sometimes occurring in a trance state, an episode of religious ecstasy, or schizophrenia.
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Origin of glossolalia

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

OTHER WORDS FROM glossolalia

glos·sol·a·list [glo-sol-uh-list, glaw-], /glɒˈsɒl ə lɪst, glɔ-/, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use glossolalia in a sentence

  • Besides, we find in Lola's case a high degree of glossolalia.

    Lola|Henny Kindermann

British Dictionary definitions for glossolalia

glossolalia
/ (ˌɡlɒsəˈleɪlɪə) /

noun
another term for gift of tongues
psychol babbling in a nonexistent language

Word Origin for glossolalia

C19: New Latin, from glosso- + Greek lalein to speak, babble
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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