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 wildly successful Marvel series from Sony comprises a triptych of strangely appealing comic book movies featuring Tom Hardy’s take on journalist Eddie Brock and his sassy symbiote sidekick, Venom (whom Hardy also voices). —Katie Walsh, Chicago Tribune, 24 Oct. 2024

In Megan’s version, a triptych of the rapper is seen with Boa’s half-bob, half-long haircut while a snake poses in the foreground. —Zoe Guy, Vulture, 28 June 2024

When it was shown in 2022 in the artist’s first New York gallery show, the large-scale text-laden triptych got a shout out in the New Yorker, earning Parris a comparison to Joan Mitchell. —Angelica Villa, ARTnews.com, 4 Oct. 2024

Rankin won the Directors’ Fortnight Audience Award at Cannes for his absurdist triptych comedy that riffs on Wes Anderson while homaging Abbas Kiarostami. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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