idioglossia

American  

[id-ee-uh-glos-ee-uh, -glaw-see-uh] / ˌɪd i əˈglɒs i ə, -ˈglɔ si ə /

noun

1. a private form of speech invented by one child or by children who are in close contact, as twins.

2. a pathological condition characterized by speech so distorted as to be unintelligible.

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idioglossia British  

/ ˌɪdɪəʊˈɡlɒsɪə /

noun

1. a private language, as invented by a child or between two children, esp twins

2. a pathological condition in which a person's speech is so severely distorted that it is unintelligible

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Other Word Forms

• idioglottic adjective

Etymology

Origin of idioglossia

1890–95; < Greek idióglōss ( os ) of distinct or peculiar tongue ( idio- idio- + -glōssos, adj. derivative of glôssa tongue) + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

Written by William Nicholson and Mark Handley, from Handley's play Idioglossia, it illustrates the familiar movie moral that wounded creatures are powerful ones, with powerful lessons to teach those who would presume to educate them.

From Time Magazine Archive

At the very least their exchanges were thought to represent the most developed form of idioglossia ever recorded in medical history.

From Time Magazine Archive

Idioglossia is a phenomenon, badly documented at best, in which two individuals, often twins, develop a unique and private language with highly original vocabulary and syntax.

From Time Magazine Archive