panopticon Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an area where everything is visible
  2. noun a circular prison with cells distributed around a central surveillance station; proposed by Jeremy Bentham in 1791

WordNet

Pa*nop"ti*con noun
Etymology
NL. See Pan-, and Optic.
Definitions
  1. A prison so contructed that the inspector can see each of the prisoners at all times, without being seen.
  2. A room for the exhibition of novelties.

Webster 1913