a. 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 Trisyllabical a. in same sense; Trisyllabically adv., as or in three syllables; Trisyllabism, trisyllabic character; Trisyllabize 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 April, 9. The Marquis finds it convenient to *trisyllabize that plebeian appellation.
