glosso-, gloss-, -glossa, -glossia

Relating to something that resembles a tongue.

A reference to the tongue and the lip or lips.

Referring to the tongue, the lips, and the larynx.

1. An incomprehensible speech in an imaginary language, sometimes occurring in a trance state, an episode of religious ecstasy, or schizophrenia; speaking in tongues.
2. The ability or phenomenon of uttering words or sounds of a language unknown to the speaker; especially, as an expression of religious ecstasy.

From the Greek, "γλώσσα" (glossa), "tongue" and "λαλώ" (lalô), "to speak"; consisting of the utterance of what appears (to the casual listener) either as an unknown foreign language (xenoglossia), meaningless syllables, or an utterance of an unknown mystical language. The utterances sometimes occur as part of religious worship (religious glossolalia).

Profuse and often emotionally charged speech that mimics coherent speech but is usually unintelligible to the listener and is uttered in some state of religious ecstasy and in some schizophrenic conditions.

When spoken by schizophrenics, glossolalia is recognized as gibberish. In charismatic Christian communities glossolalia is sacred and referred to as "speaking in tongues" or having "the gift of tongues."

In Acts of the Apostles, tongues of fire are described as alighting on the Apostles, filling them with the Holy Spirit. Allegedly, this allowed the Apostles to speak in their own language but be understood by foreigners from several nations.

Glossolalics, on the other hand, speak in a foreign language and are typically not understood by anyone.

1. In medicine, the study of the tongue and its diseases.
2. The definitions and explanations of terms; as seen in a glossary.
3. The science of language; comparative philology; linguistics.

Paralysis of the tongue.

The excessive practice of inventing languages.

A prognosis of a disease based on the appearance of the tongue.

1. Any swelling of the tongue, including neoplasms.
2. A tumor of the tongue.

Relating to the tongue and the palate or the upper surface of the mouth.

Pertaining to the tongue, the palate, and the lips.

Any disease of the tongue: When Dr. White looked at Bridget's tongue, he said it was in a condition of glossopathy, which caused her so much pain, and he gave her some medication to cure the ailment.

The attachment of the tongue to the lower lip to prevent asphyxia (suffocation as a result of physical blockage of the airway).

Using the tongue while eating.

Absence of sensation in the pharynx and over the posterior third of the tongue, and the loss of the palatal and pharyngeal reflexes; such as, the gag reflex, resulting from a lesion involving the glossopharyngeal or ninth cranial nerve or its nucleus.