latah

American  

[lah-tuh] / ˈlɑ tə /

Or lata

noun

1. a pattern of neurotic behavior, usually induced by a startle, first discovered in Malaya, and characterized by the compulsive imitation of the actions and words of others.

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latah British  

/ ˈlɑːtə /

noun

1. a psychological condition, observed esp in Malaysian cultures, in which an individual, after experiencing a shock, becomes anxious and suggestible, often imitating the actions of another person

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Etymology

Origin of latah

Borrowed into English from Malay around 1880–85

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

latah

He's trained to follow, and he'll find me latah, if I make it.

From Kid Wolf of Texas by Paul S. (Paul Sylvester) Powers

In point of fact, I don't mind telling yah, I back myself still for a couple of thou' soonah or latah to marry yah.

From Miss Cayley's Adventures by Grant Allen

But latah on I could fix things so 's you could have the whole third floor ef you wanted to.

From The Sport of the Gods by Paul Laurence Dunbar

I has plowed an' I has sowed, an' latah on I has laid cyahpets, an' I has whitewashed.

From The Strength of Gideon and Other Stories by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Den latah on daddy bought de mill from de Mosleys too.

From Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Ohio Narratives by Work Projects Administration

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