glossolalia

pronunciation

How to pronounce glossolalia in British English: UK [ˌglɒsəʊ'leɪlɪə]word uk audio image

How to pronounce glossolalia in American English: US [ˌglɒsoʊ'leɪlɪr] word us audio image

  • Noun:
    repetitive nonmeaningful speech (especially that associated with a trance state or religious fervor)

Word Origin

glossolalia (n.)
"gift of tongues, speaking in tongues, ability to speak foreign languages without having learned them," 1857 (earlier in German and Italian), from Greek glossa "tongue, language" (see gloss (n.2)) + lalia "talk, prattle, a speaking," from lalein "to speak, prattle," echoic.

Example

1. While containing a strong emotional ( even a rational ) element , glossolalia runs deeper than the emotions .
2. The essential charismatic claim about glossolalia is that this is the vehicle of communication par excellence between man and god .

more: >How to Use "glossolalia" with Example Sentences