latah

la·tah

[lah-tuh]
noun
a pattern of neurotic behavior, usually induced by a startle, first discovered in Malaya, and characterized by the compulsive imitation of the actions and words of others.
Also, la·ta.


Origin:
1880–85; < Malay

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World English Dictionary
latah (ˈlɑːtə) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
a psychological condition, observed esp in Malaysian cultures, in which an individual, after experiencing a shock, becomes anxious and suggestible, often imitating the actions of another person
 
[C19: from Malay]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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00:10
Latah is always a great word to know.
So is gobo. Does it mean:
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

latah la·tah (lä'tə)
n.
A nervous disorder characterized by an exaggerated physical response to being startled or to unexpected suggestion.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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