polyptych

[ pol-ip-tik ]

/ ˈpɒl ɪp tɪk /

noun

a work of art composed of several connected panels.

Nearby words

polypous gastritis, polyproline, polypropylene, polyprotic, polyprotodont, polyptych, polyptychial, polypus, polyradiculitis, polyradiculoneuropathy, polyrhythm

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for polyptych

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