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

Derived Forms

• echolalic, adjective

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of echolalia¹

First recorded in 1880–85; echo + -lalia

Word History and Origins

Origin of echolalia¹

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

Example Sentences

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg