panoptic

Often pan·op·ti·cal

[pan-op-tik]

adjective

1. permitting the viewing of all parts or elements.

   a panoptic stain used in microscopy; a panoptic aerial photograph of an enemy missile base.

2. considering all parts or elements; all inclusive.

   a panoptic criticism of modern poetry.

panoptic

/ pænˈɒptɪk /

adjective

1. taking in all parts, aspects, etc, in a single view; all-embracing

   a panoptic survey

Other Word Forms

• panoptically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of panoptic¹

1820–30; < Greek panópt(ēs) all-seeing + -ic. See pan-, optic

Word History and Origins

Origin of panoptic¹

C19: from Greek panoptēs seeing everything, from _pan- + optos visible

Example Sentences

As the movie progresses, the definition of God evolves into something sweeping and panoptic.

From Salon

South Korean authorities relied on a panoptic software they had been developing to manage “smart city” projects — a dashboard to collect and analyze data to improve urban life.

From Los Angeles Times

In the US, Google and Apple have joined forces to create their own panoptic solution.

From The Guardian

They suggest that one solution to what Gandy called the “panoptic sort” is to smash the tools that enable such sorting to take place.

From The Verge

Crucially, however, Lalami’s panoptic view is what enables her to strike such a balance at the end, and what establishes the novel’s identity from the beginning.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• sweeping