the tendency to repeat mechanically words just spoken by another person: can occur in cases of brain damage and psychiatric disorder
Derived forms
echolalic (ˌɛkəʊˈlælɪk)
adjective
Word origin
C19: from New Latin, from echo + Greek lalia talk, chatter, from lalein to chatter
echolalia in American English
(ˌɛkoʊˈleɪliə)
noun
the automatic repetition by someone of words spoken in his or her presence, esp. as a symptom of mental disorder
Word origin
ModL < echo (see echo) + -lalia, speech defect < Gr lalia, speech < lalein, to talk, prattle < redupl. of IE echoic *la- (as in L lallare, Ger lallen, to lull)