Meaning of "panopticon" in English

A panopticon is an architectural design concept for a circular structure that allows a single observer to simultaneously watch all prisoners or inhabitants without them being able to tell whether they are being observed. Invented by the philosopher Jeremy Bentham in the late 18th century, the idea was intended for use in prisons, as a means of efficient surveillance. The concept embodies a form of social control where power is visible but unverifiable, influencing behavior by the potential of observation.

Meaning of "panopticon" in French

In French, "panopticon" carries the same architectural significance as in English. It refers to a circular institutional building designed for observation, particularly in prisons, allowing an observer to watch all inmates without them knowing if they are being watched. The term is used to describe any centralized system of surveillance and control, reflecting on the broader implications of unseen observation and power dynamics within an institution or society.

Pronunciation of "panopticon" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /pænˈɒptɪkən/

Pronunciation Variations: There are generally no significant regional variations in the pronunciation of "panopticon" in English. The pronunciation tends to remain consistent across different English-speaking regions, maintaining its original phonetic structure.

Pronunciation of "panopticon" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /panɔptikɔ̃/

Pronunciation Variations: Similar to English, "panopticon" in French does not have substantial regional variations. The pronunciation is quite consistent across French-speaking areas, adhering closely to the standard transcription.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

  1. The prison was designed as a panopticon to ensure constant surveillance. (La prison a été conçue comme un panopticon pour assurer une surveillance constante.)
  2. Many modern office layouts resemble a panopticon in their surveillance capabilities. (De nombreux aménagements de bureaux modernes ressemblent à un panopticon dans leurs capacités de surveillance.)
  3. The concept of the panopticon raises questions about privacy and control. (Le concept de panopticon soulève des questions sur la vie privée et le contrôle.)
  4. In a digital age, social media acts as a virtual panopticon. (À l'ère numérique, les médias sociaux agissent comme un panopticon virtuel.)
  5. His novel explores the psychological effects of living in a panopticon. (Son roman explore les effets psychologiques de la vie dans un panopticon.)
  6. The panopticon structure allowed the guards to see every cell. (La structure du panopticon permettait aux gardes de voir chaque cellule.)
  7. The philosopher used the panopticon as a metaphor for societal surveillance. (Le philosophe a utilisé le panopticon comme une métaphore de la surveillance sociétale.)
  8. Schools often function as a form of a panopticon to maintain discipline. (Les écoles fonctionnent souvent comme une forme de panopticon pour maintenir la discipline.)
  9. The use of cameras in public spaces reflects a modern panopticon. (L'utilisation de caméras dans les espaces publics reflète un panopticon moderne.)
  10. The researcher compared the hospital design to a panopticon for efficiency. (Le chercheur a comparé la conception de l'hôpital à un panopticon pour l'efficacité.)

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "panopticon" in English

Synonyms: observatory, surveillance structure, watchtower, inspection house, monitoring system.

Antonyms: -.

Similar Words: prison architecture, control structure, surveillance, observation point.

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "panopticon" in French

Synonyms: observatoire, structure de surveillance, tour de guet, maison d'inspection, système de surveillance.

Antonyms: -.

Similar Words: architecture carcérale, structure de contrôle, surveillance, point d'observation.

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