Advertisement

Advertisement

echolalia

[ ek-oh-ley-lee-uh ]

noun

  1. Psychiatry. the uncontrollable and immediate repetition of words spoken by another person.
  2. the imitation by a baby of the vocal sounds produced by others, occurring as a natural phase of childhood development.


echolalia

/ ˌɛkəʊˈlælɪk; ˌɛkəʊˈleɪlɪə /

noun

  1. psychiatry the tendency to repeat mechanically words just spoken by another person: can occur in cases of brain damage, mental retardation, and schizophrenia


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • echolalic, adjective

Discover More

Other Words From

  • ech·o·lal·ic [ek-oh-, lal, -ik, -, ley, -lik], adjective

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of echolalia1

First recorded in 1880–85; echo + -lalia

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of echolalia1

C19: from New Latin, from echo + Greek lalia talk, chatter, from lalein to chatter

Discover More

Example Sentences

It is an interesting fact that of twelve cases of echolalia that have come under our observation, fifty per cent.

Another psychical stigma—echolalia—is occasionally, though less frequently, observed in these cases.

Echolalia, however, is not an exclusive appurtenance of those who tic.

Echolalia in the blind has been made the subject of an interesting study by Noir.

In addition, she suffered from echolalia, echokinesis, and folie du doute.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


echoismecholocate