noun
glossolalia
glos-uh-LAY-lee-uh/ˌɡlɑsəˈleɪliə/
Speech resembling an unknown language, especially during religious ecstasy.
Some worshipers experience glossolalia during moments of intense religious feeling.
Etymology
‘Tongue’ and ‘speaking’ name the practice of speaking in tongues. The term was used for an unlearned ability to speak foreign languages; in this sense, it describes language-like speech without clear ordinary meaning.
In context
this language appears to be glossolalia, which is speaking in tongues. So, she murmurs meaningless sounds
More examples
- Researchers study the rhythms and sounds of glossolalia.
- Her glossolalia sounds like speech, but we cannot identify a language.
- The congregation accepts glossolalia as a form of prayer.
Similar words
- speaking in tongues
- Names the same speech phenomenon, usually within religious practice.