polyptych

[ pol-ip-tik ]

/ ˈpɒl ɪp tɪk /

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noun

a work of art composed of several connected panels.

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Compare diptych, pentaptych, triptych.

Origin of polyptych

1855–60; special use of Late Latin polyptychum<Greek polýptychon a register, roll, noun use of neuter of polýptychos having many folds. See poly-, diptych, triptych

Words nearby polyptych

polypous, polyproline, polypropylene, polyprotic, polyprotodont, polyptych, polypus, polyrhythm, polyrhythmic, polyribosome, polysaccharide

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How to use polyptych in a sentence

The centre-piece of the Ghent Polyptych, in the Cathedral of that town.
Van Eyck|James Cyril M. Weale
It is difficult to think that he can be answerable for it when we compare it with the Piet over the polyptych at Perugia.
Pintoricchio|Evelyn March Phillipps

British Dictionary definitions for polyptych

polyptych

/ (ˈpɒlɪptɪk) /

noun

an altarpiece consisting of more than three panels, set with paintings or carvings, and usually hinged for foldingCompare diptych, triptych

Word Origin for polyptych

C19: via Late Latin from Greek poluptuchon something folded many times, from poly- + ptuchē a fold

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012