The Greek verb battalogeō means to babble, stammer, or use empty repetitions — particularly in prayer. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 6:7, where Jesus warns against praying like the Gentiles who think they will be heard for their many words. The origin is uncertain; it may be onomatopoeic (the sound of stammering).
Jesus' warning against battalogeō is not a prohibition of long prayers or persistent requests (see Luke 18:1-8), but against the pagan assumption that prayer works by mechanical repetition — that more words equal more divine attention. God is not impressed by volume or length; He is a Father who knows what His children need before they ask (Matthew 6:8). True prayer is relational address, not magical formula.