diptych

noun

dip·​tych ˈdip-(ˌ)tik 

1

: a 2-leaved hinged tablet folding together to protect writing on its waxed surfaces

2

: a picture or series of pictures (such as an altarpiece) painted or carved on two hinged tablets

3

: a work made up of two matching parts

Illustration of diptych

• diptych 2

Examples of diptych in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The museum opposes an attempt by the Jewish Federation-Council of Greater Los Angeles and its board chair Daniel Gryczman, who sued in September for the return of Lucas Cranach the Elder’s 16th-century diptych painting Adam and Eve. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

The collection was later recovered by Allied forces and given to the Dutch government, with the diptych being sold to the Norton Simon in 1971. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Bridgers’s great trick, though, is to set these two experiences against one another as a diptych. — Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026

Jagger didn’t offer any specifics, though, on the ideal diptych of years for a depiction of the band. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 26 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin diptycha, plural, from Greek, from neuter plural of diptychos folded in two, from di- + ptychē fold

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for diptych

• cryptic
• styptic
• triptych
• tryptic
• apocalyptic
• ecliptic
• elliptic