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panoptic

adjective
pan·​op·​tic | \ ˌpa-ˈnäp-tik How to pronounce panoptic (audio) \

Definition of panoptic

: being or presenting a comprehensive or panoramic view a panoptic view of the city
Panoptic Has Greek Origins More Example Sentences Learn More about panoptic

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Panoptic Has Greek Origins

The establishment of panoptic in the English language can be attributed to two inventions known as panopticons. The more well-known panopticon was conceived by the English philosopher Jeremy Bentham in 1787. Bentham’s panopticon was a circular prison with cells arranged around a central tower from which guards could see the inmates at all times. The other panopticon, also created in the 18th century, was a device containing pictures of attractions, such as European capitals, that people viewed through an opening. Considering the views that both inventions gave, it is not hard to see why panoptic (a word derived from Greek panoptēs, meaning "all-seeing") was being used by the early 19th century.

Examples of panoptic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 The pressures of anchoring a hit show compelled McGoohan to conjure a panoptic resort/prison for priceless intelligence assets called The Village, and cult history was made. — Scott Thill, WIRED, "Q&A: Can Jim Caviezel Fill Patrick McGoohan’s Prisoner Shoes?," 24 July 2009

First Known Use of panoptic

1826, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for panoptic

Greek panoptēs all-seeing, from pan- + opsesthai to be going to see — more at optic

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More Definitions for panoptic

panoptic

adjective
pan·​op·​tic | \ (ˈ)pan-ˈäp-tik How to pronounce panoptic (audio) \

Medical Definition of panoptic

: permitting everything to be seen microscopic study of tissues treated with a panoptic stain

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