PANOPTICON

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does panopticon mean? 

• PANOPTICON (noun)
  The noun PANOPTICON has 2 senses:

1. an area where everything is visible

2. a circular prison with cells distributed around a central surveillance station; proposed by Jeremy Bentham in 1791

  Familiarity information: PANOPTICON used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PANOPTICON (noun)

Sense 1

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)

Sense 2

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)