, in which the last
syllable has the value of _tin_.
*In the chapter at the beginning of Webster's dictionary devoted to
accent it is stated that these words are accented on the last syllable
because by derivation the root rather than the prefix receives the
accent. This "great principle of derivation" often fails, it is
admitted. We have indicated above a natural reason why it cannot
fail in the cases mentioned. The voice would be incapable of accenting
easily the unimportant prefix in such a word as _ac-cuse',_ for instance.
In words of three syllables, the accent is usually on the first syllable,
especially if the second syllable is weak and the last syllable no weaker
if not indeed stronger. Thus we have _pe'-ri-od, per'-son-ate, It'-aly,_
etc.
If for any reason the second syllable becomes stronger than either the
first or the last, then the second syllable must receive the accent
and the syllable before it is usually strengthened. Thus we have
_i-tal'-ic,_ and there is a natural tendency to make the _i_ long,
though in _Italy_ it is short. This is because _tal_ is stronger than
_ic,_ though not stronger than _y_.
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