|
|
Enron Mail |
panopticon (pan-OP-ti-kon) noun
A building, as a prison, hospital, library, or the like, so arranged that all parts of the interior are visible from a single point. [Pan- + Greek optikon sight, seeing (neuter of optikos).] "We know that they know they are being watched by a contemporary writer; but inside this careful panopticon they live and breathe fully as free fictional characters." James Wood, The Palpable Past-Intimate, New Republic, Mar 27, 2000. This week's theme: words that make one say, I didn't know there was a word for that. ............................................................................. Avarice, envy, pride, / Three fatal sparks, have set the hearts of all / On Fire. -Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) [The Divine Comedy] Send your comments about words to anu@wordsmith.org. To subscribe or unsubscribe A.Word.A.Day, send a message to wsmith@wordsmith.org with "Subject:" line as "subscribe <Your Name<" or "unsubscribe". Archives, FAQ, gift subscription form, and more at: http://wordsmith.org/awad/ Pronunciation: http://wordsmith.org/words/panopticon.wav http://wordsmith.org/words/panopticon.ram
|