| Library / English Dictionary |
PANOPTICON
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A circular prison with cells distributed around a central surveillance station; proposed by Jeremy Bentham in 1791
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("panopticon" is a kind of...):
prison; prison house (a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment)
Sense 2
Meaning:
An area where everything is visible
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("panopticon" is a kind of...):
area (a part of a structure having some specific characteristic or function)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "panopticon"):
saleroom; salesroom; showroom (an area where merchandise (such as cars) can be displayed)
Derivation:
panoptical (including everything visible in one view)
