multisyllablen.adj.
/ˌmʌltɪˈsɪləbl/, U.S. /ˌməltiˈsɪləb(ə)l/; see also multi- comb. form. A. n.
A polysyllable. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > [noun] > syllabic sound > syllable > word having specific number > word having two or more syllables
polysyllable1570
polysyllabe1584
multisyllable1659
hyperdisyllable1678
sesquipedalian1830
plurisyllable1924
1659 O. Walker Some Instr. Art of Oratory 38 A multisyllable better answers a monosyllable precedent, than a monosyllable a multisyllable.
1847 J. Lynd Class-bk. Etymol. (rev. ed.) 31/2 Multisyllable, multus; syl; labe.
1980 Black Amer. Lit. Forum 14 107/1 Dig Calvin stretching out,..spinning a long metaphysical combination of multi-syllables.
B. adj.
= multisyllabic adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > [adjective] > syllable > consisting of > consisting of specific number > containing two or more syllables
polysyllable1589
sesquipedal1611
polysyllabical1656
sesquipedalian1656
polysyllabic1817
hyperdisyllable1843
multisyllabic1909
plurisyllabic1921
multisyllable1950
1950 Public Opinion Q. 14 694 Forty-word questions containing many multi-syllable words.
1964 Language 40 176 Multisyllable words where a syllabic split in the written word occurs in the sequence vowel–consonant–consonant–vowel.
1985 G. Naylor Linden Hills 50 Some people wonder why someone would be stupid enough to give a child three multisyllable names.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.1659