1. A painting or carving on multiple panels or sections hinged or joined together, typically an altarpiece with more than three panels.
Usage: art history; often used in religious contexts

Examples

• The cathedral's polyptych altarpiece featured twelve intricately carved wooden panels depicting scenes from the life of Christ.
• Medieval artists often created polyptychs to tell complex religious narratives across multiple connected sections.
• The museum's collection includes a stunning polyptych from the Renaissance period with gilded frames.
• This polyptych differs from a triptych in that it contains more than three separate painted panels.
• The polyptych's hinged panels allowed it to be opened and closed for different liturgical occasions.