trisyllable

American  

[trahy-sil-uh-buhl, trahy-sil-, trih-] / ˈtraɪˌsɪl ə bəl, traɪˈsɪl-, trɪ- /

noun

1. a word of three syllables, as pendulum.

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trisyllable British  

/ ˌtraɪsɪˈlæbɪk, traɪˈsɪləbəl /

noun

1. a word of three syllables

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Other Word Forms

• trisyllabic adjective
• trisyllabical adjective
• trisyllabically adverb
• trisyllabism noun

Etymology

Origin of trisyllable

1580–90; tri- + syllable, modeled on Greek trisýllabos having three syllables

Example Sentences

Shakespeare frankly writes the word as a trisyllable, Thy ignomy sleep with thee in the grave.

From Society for Pure English Tract 4 The Pronunciation of English Words Derived from the Latin by Sargeaunt, John

Dr. Hall has also shown that scientist, which Mr. A. J. Ellis saw fit to denounce as an "American barbaric trisyllable," was first used by an Englishman, Dr. Whewell, in 1840.

From Americanisms and Briticisms with other essays on other isms by Matthews, Brander

Could'st thou not find a trisyllable to express some parts of nature for a collection of which that learned and worthy physician is eminent?

From Notes and Queries, Number 188, June 4, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Various

Trisyllab′ic, -al, pertaining to a trisyllable: consisting of three syllables.—adv.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

He seems," says Dennis, "to have been the very original of our English tragical harmony, that is, the harmony of blank verse, diversified often by dissyllable and trisyllable terminations.

From The Works of Samuel Johnson, Volume 05 Miscellaneous Pieces by Johnson, Samuel