triptych

noun

trip·​tych ˈtrip-(ˌ)tik 

1

a

: a picture (such as an altarpiece) or carving in three panels side by side

b

: something composed or presented in three parts or sections

especially : trilogy

2

: an ancient Roman writing tablet with three waxed leaves hinged together

Did you know?

Triptych Has Greek Roots

A painted or carved triptych typically has three hinged panels, and the two outer panels can be folded in towards the central one. A literary or musical triptych generally consists of three closely related or contrasting themes or parts. Triptych derives from the Greek triptychos ("having three folds"), formed by combining tri- ("three") and ptychē ("fold" or "layer"). Although triptych originally described a specific type of Roman writing tablet that had three hinged sections, it is not surprising that the idea was generalized first to a type of painting, and then to anything composed of three parts.

Examples of triptych in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Mexico City-set triptych starred Gael García Bernal in his breakout role and won the Critics’ Week Award at Cannes Film Festival. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 1 Aug. 2025

This detail is part of the enigmatic triptych The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch, a painting that serves as a moral warning about the destructive power of unchecked desires. —Emi Eleode, Time, 14 July 2025

Anything In Multiples Finding artwork in a pair is good, a triptych is great, but four or more? —Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 14 June 2025

These days, the mat is the star of the show, having taken social media by storm in the last six months—from a triptych of photobooth strips to a selection of film slides against a moss green backdrop. —Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 30 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek triptychos having three folds, from tri- + ptychē fold

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for triptych

• cryptic
• diptych
• styptic
• tryptic
• apocalyptic
• ecliptic
• elliptic

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