Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A culture-specific startle response seen primarily in Malaysia and Indonesia, characterized by abnormal behaviors such as mimicry and unquestioning obedience to others.
  • noun An individual who exhibits this response.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun pathology A condition found in Malaysia and nearby areas characterised by extreme suggestibility; also, a person suffering from this malady.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Malay, perhaps from Sanskrit laṭaḥ, one who speaks like a fool.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Malay latah.

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Examples

Comments

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  • A nervous disorder characterized by an exaggerated physical response to being started or to unexpected suggestions.

    July 18, 2010

  • Latah County in Idaho claims to be the only US county formed by an act of Congress, with Grover Cleveland signing the legislation creating the county on May 14, 1888.

    July 28, 2010

  • Compare miryachit.

    February 3, 2013

  • Great Jumping Frenchmen with their miryachit affections!

    February 3, 2013