lalling

n. an infantile form of speech characterized by the omission or substitution of sounds, particularly the substitution of the [l] sound for other sounds that are more difficult for the speaker to produce, for example, saying “lellow” for yellow. Lalling is considered a speech disorder when it persists beyond the age at which accurate articulation should have been acquired. See also phonological disorder.

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Psychology term of the day

January 3rd 2025

syphilis

n. a contagious disease caused by infection with the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum. Syphilis is usually a sexually transmitted disease, but it can be transmitted through a break or cut in the skin or mucous membrane; it can also be transmitted by an infected pregnant woman to an unborn child. Untreated, syphilis progressively destroys body tissues, particularly those of the heart and nervous system. See also cerebral syphilis; general paresis.