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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Compare speaking in tongues.

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

Words nearby glossolalia

glossodynia, glossoepiglottic, glossographer, glossography, glossohyal, glossolalia, glossology, glossopathy, glossopharyngeal, glossopharyngeal breathing, glossopharyngeal nerve

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

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

Medical definitions for glossolalia

glossolalia

[ glô′sə-lā′lē-ə ]

Fabricated, nonmeaningful speech, especially associated with trances or certain schizophrenic syndromes.