po·lyp·tych \ˈpälə̇pˌtik, pəˈlipt-\noun (-s) Etymology: Greek polyptychos with many folds, folded many times, from poly- + -ptychos (akin to Greek ptychē fold, layer) : an arrangement of four or more panels (as of a painting) usually hinged and folding together < an altarpiece in the form of a polyptych > — compare diptych, triptych