diptych
[ dip-tik ]
/ ˈdɪp tɪk /
noun
a hinged two-leaved tablet used in ancient times for writing on with a stylus.
Usually diptychs.
- a similar tablet of wood or metal containing on one leaf the names of those among the living, and on the other those among the dead, for whom prayers and Masses are said.
- the lists of such persons.
- the intercession in the course of which these names were introduced.
a pair of pictures or carvings on two panels, usually hinged together.
Origin of diptych
1615–25; < Late Latin
diptycha writing tablet with two leaves < Greek
díptycha, neuter plural of
díptychos folded together, equivalent to
di-
di-1 +
-ptychos, verbid of
ptýssein to fold
Words nearby diptych
dipteran,
dipterocarpaceous,
dipteron,
dipterous,
diptote,
diptych,
dipylidiasis,
dipylidium caninum,
dipyramid,
dipyridamole,
diquark
Example sentences from the Web for diptych
British Dictionary definitions for diptych
diptych
/ (ˈdɪptɪk) /
noun
a pair of hinged wooden tablets with waxed surfaces for writing
a painting or carving on two panels, usually hinged like a book
Word Origin for diptych
C17: from Greek
diptukhos folded together, from
di
1 +
ptukhos fold; compare
triptych