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panopticon

/pænˈɒp.tɪ.kɒn/

1 entry

noun

C2formalcommon/pænˈɒp.tɪ.kɒn/

A noun referring to a space or structure, such as a prison, designed so that all parts are visible from a single central point, enabling constant observation.

  • 🇷🇺Существительное, обозначающее пространство или сооружение, например тюрьму, спроектированное так, что все его части видны из одной центральной точки, что позволяет осуществлять постоянное наблюдение.
  1. Area of total visibility C1 formal

    A space or situation where everything is visible or can be observed.

    • The open-plan office felt like a panopticon, with managers watching from every angle.
    • Social media can create a digital panopticon where users feel constantly observed.
    • The design of the museum created a panopticon effect, allowing guards to see all exhibits at once.

    🇷🇺Пространство полной видимости

    Synonyms: fishbowlglasshousegoldfish bowl

  2. Circular prison design C1 formal

    A type of institutional building designed by Jeremy Bentham in 1791, consisting of a circular structure with cells arranged around a central observation tower, allowing a single guard to watch all inmates.

    • Bentham's panopticon was intended to reform prisoners through constant surveillance.
    • The panopticon prison design influenced modern architecture and surveillance theory.
    • Although never fully built, the panopticon remains a powerful symbol of control.

    🇷🇺Паноптикум

  • panopticons plural form
  • panopticons' possessive plural form
  • panopticon's possessive singular form