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

Laraaji, who has been releasing music since the late 1970s, produces aural glossolalia — divine, luminescent melodic debris.

From New York Times

Growing up in the Pentecostal Church of God in Christ, you saw your share of glossolalia.

From New York Times

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

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

They screamed praise at the YouTubers like glossolalia.

From Washington Post