triptych

[ trip-tik ]

noun

1. Fine Arts. a set of three panels or compartments side by side, bearing pictures, carvings, or the like.
2. a hinged, three-leaved tablet, written on, in ancient times, with a stylus.

triptych

/ ˈtrɪptɪk /

noun

1. a set of three pictures or panels, usually hinged so that the two wing panels fold over the larger central one: often used as an altarpiece
2. a set of three hinged writing tablets

Word History and Origins

Origin of triptych¹

1725–35; < Greek tríptychos of three plates, equivalent to tri- tri- + ptych- (stem of ptýx ) plate + -os adj. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of triptych¹

C18: from Greek triptukhos , from tri- + ptux plate; compare diptych

Example Sentences

Three Women is a three-part artwork known as a triptych, that features subjects referenced in one of her previous works, Trilogy.

From BBC

A “Black Lives Matter” triptych, made for the Central Library’s “21 Collections” exhibition, sat above the fireplace.

From Los Angeles Times

Along with a painting of a maternal figure, the two targeted sunflower paintings form part of a triptych of works being shown together.

From BBC

It his part of a triptych of works being presented together - two Sunflower paintings, with La Berceuse, a painting of a maternal figure, in the middle.

From BBC

As noted by The AP, the film's premiere in Venice fulfills Larraín's triptych of movies about iconic female figures in history.

From Salon

Related Words

• threesome
• triad
• troika