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pan·op·ti·con

(păn-ŏptĭ-kŏn′)

A hypothetical prison proposed by Jeremy Bentham, having circular tiers of cells surrounding a central observation tower from which guards can observe the prisoners without being seen themselves.

[Earlier, a peepshow device used to exhibit pictures : PAN– + Greek optikon, neuter of optikos, optic; see OPTIC.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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