glossolalia

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

noun

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

Example sentences from the Web for glossolalia

  • 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

Medical definitions for glossolalia

glossolalia
[ glô′sə-lā′lē-ə ]

n.

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