diptych

(dip′tik′)

noun

an ancient writing tablet made up of a hinged pair of wooden or ivory pieces folding to protect the inner waxed writing surfaces
a picture painted or carved on two hinged tablets
anything consisting of two parallel or contrasting parts

Origin: LL diptycha, writing tablet of two leaves < Gr, neut. pl. of diptychos, folded < di-, twice + ptychē, a fold < ptyssein, to fold

See diptych in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A work consisting of two painted or carved panels that are hinged together.
An ancient writing tablet having two leaves hinged together.
A list of names, originally contained on such a tablet, of living and dead Christians for whom special prayers are made during the liturgy in many eastern and western churches.

Origin:

Origin: Late Latin diptycha

Origin: , from Greek diptukha

Origin: , from

Origin: neuter pl. of diptukhos, folded double

Origin: : di-, two; see di-¹

Origin: + ptukhē, fold (from ptussein, ptukh-, to fold)

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