Including everying visible in one view; as, a panoptic aerial photograph of the missile base; a panoptic stain used in microscopy.

Includes in one view, everything that is in sight. A panoptic tower, for example, was frequently used in prisons and concentration camps to keep every prisoner in view. In Victorian workshops, "overseers" sat on high stools to gaze the many rows of workers. Panopticism increases when there is one-way gazing: they can see your every move, but you can not see them. If you set up control such that workers never know when the boss will stick his head in the door, or look over your workmanship, then the panoptic (gaze) gets internalized. We learn to gaze ourselves and the panoptic tower and high stools can be removed (a cost saver) and our behavior is just as controlled as before.

broad in scope or content; "across-the-board pay increases"; "an all-embracing definition"; "blanket sanctions against human-rights violators"; "an invention with broad applications"; "a panoptic study of Soviet nationality"- T.G.Winner; "granted him wide powers"