trisyllabic, a.
(traɪ-, trɪsɪˈlæbɪk)
erron. triss-.
[a. F. trissyllabique (16th c. in Godef. Compl.), f. L. trisyllab-us, a. Gr. τρισύλλαβος of three syllables, f. τρι- three + συλλαβή syllable: see -ic. For spelling cf. note s.v. disyllabic.]
Consisting of or involving three syllables. So trisyˈllabical a. in same sense; trisyˈllabically adv., as or in three syllables; triˈsyllabism, trisyllabic character; triˈsyllabize v., trans. to make trisyllabic.
| a 1637 B. Jonson Eng. Gram. i. vii, All nouns *trisyllabic [are accented] in the first [syllable]. 1861 Paley æschylus (ed. 2) Persians 467 note, Trisyllabic form of the more Attic ἄσσω. 1882 F. T. Palgrave in Spenser's Wks. (Grosart) IV. p. xxx, In some the..trissyllabic rhyme is used. |
| 1656 Blount Glossogr., *Trisyllabical (trisyllabicus), that hath three syllables. 1658 in Phillips. 1801 Chenevix in Phil. Trans. XCI. 195 note, In trisyllabical nouns, the first or second syllable is usually accented. |
| 1858 De Quincey Mrq. Wellesley Wks. 1858 VIII. 20 note, The Annesley family..do not pronounce their name *trisyllabically..viz., Ann-es-ley, but as if Anns (in the possessive case) -ley. |
| 1884 E. Einenkel St. Kath. p. xxxii, The older forms..are not very remote from genuine *trisyllabism. |
| 1866 Pall Mall G. 12 Apr. 9 The Marquis finds it convenient to *trisyllabize that plebeian appellation. |