Definition

1. Noun:

   • A large motor vehicle for carrying many passengers, especially along a fixed route; a bus. This is the original meaning, referring to public transportation.
   • A volume containing several works, often by one author or on one theme; an anthology. This meaning refers to a collection of literary or artistic works published together.

2. Adjective:

   • Including or dealing with many different items or subjects at once. This describes something comprehensive that covers multiple elements.

Examples

• Noun (Vehicle):

  • The old-fashioned omnibus was a common sight in the city a century ago.
  • She took the omnibus from the station to her hotel.

• Noun (Book/Anthology):

  • The library acquired an omnibus of Agatha Christie's early novels.
  • He published an omnibus of his scientific essays.

• Adjective:

  • The senator proposed an omnibus bill addressing tax reform, education, and infrastructure.
  • The committee released an omnibus report covering all aspects of the investigation.

Advanced Usage

• "Omnibus edition": A special publication that combines several previously separate works into one volume.

  • The television series was released in an omnibus edition on DVD.

• "Omnibus survey": A survey that covers a wide range of topics, often conducted regularly.

  • The market research firm conducts an omnibus survey every quarter.

Variants and Related Words

• Bus (n): The modern, shortened form of "omnibus" for the vehicle.
• Anthology (n): A published collection of writings (e.g., poems, stories). This is a close synonym for the literary meaning.
• Compendium (n): A concise but comprehensive collection of information on a subject.

Synonyms

• Noun (Vehicle): Coach, motorcoach, charabanc (archaic).
• Noun (Book): Collection, compilation, digest.
• Adjective: Comprehensive, all-inclusive, sweeping, blanket.

Related Phrases

• Omnibus legislation: A single bill that packages together multiple, often unrelated, measures.

  • The omnibus legislation passed after lengthy debate.

• Omnibus clause: A clause in a contract, law, or insurance policy that covers a variety of items not specifically named.

  • The omnibus clause in the contract provided for additional unforeseen expenses.

Idioms

Note: There are no common idioms centered solely on the word "omnibus." Its usage is typically direct and formal.

Adjective

1. providing for many things at once
   • an omnibus law

Noun

1. a vehicle carrying many passengers; used for public transport
   • he always rode the bus to work
2. an anthology of articles on a related subject or an anthology of the works of a single author