glossolalia

Meaning

Noun

• Speaking a language one does not know, or speaking elaborate but apparently meaningless speech, while in a trance-like state (or, supposedly, under the influence of a deity or spirits); speaking in tongues.
• Synonym of xenoglossy.

Origin

• glosso- + -lalia, from Ancient Greek γλῶσσᾰ ("tongue; language") (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *glōgʰs) + λᾰλῐᾱ́ (from λᾰ́λος + -ῐ́ᾱ).