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Definition of xenoglossy

xenoglossy

/ˌzɛn.əˈɡlɑː.si/
xe · no · glos · sy
Plural:xenoglossies
•
Adjective:xenoglossic
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xenoglossy Lexical Profile

xenoglossy Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The putative paranormal phenomenon in which a person is able to speak or write a real language that they could not have acquired through normal means or prior study.

Example

"During the hypnotic regression session, the subject exhibited apparent xenoglossy by fluently answering questions in a medieval dialect of French."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for xenoglossy

Word Nuance & Usage

Xenoglossy is often confused with glossolalia (speaking in tongues); however, xenoglossy specifically refers to the use of a real, natural human language that the speaker has never learned, whereas glossolalia involves vocalizing fabricated, non-existent languages.

• Rhymes for xenoglossy

• Nearby Words

xenogenic
xenogenous
xenoglossia
xenoglossy
xenomania
xenomenia
xenomorphic

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in 1905 by French parapsychologist Charles Richet, derived from the Ancient Greek 'xenos' (foreign, strange) and 'glōssa' (tongue, language).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Xenoglossy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/xenoglossy
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