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omnibus

 - 3 dictionary results

om⋅ni⋅bus

[om-nuh-buhs, -buhs] noun, plural -bus⋅es, or, for 1, -bus⋅ses, adjective
–noun
1. bus (def. 1).
2. a volume of reprinted works of a single author or of works related in interest or theme.
–adjective
3. pertaining to, including, or dealing with numerous objects or items at once: an omnibus bill submitted to a legislature.

Origin:
1820–30; < F < L: for all (dat. pl. of omnis)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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om·ni·bus   (ŏm'nĭ-bŭs', -bəs)   
n.  
  1. A long motor vehicle for passengers; a bus.

  2. A printed anthology of the works of one author or of writings on related subjects.

adj.  Including or covering many things or classes: an omnibus trade bill.

[French, from Latin, for all, dative pl. of omnis, all; see op- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

omnibus 
1829, "four-wheeled public vehicle with seats for passengers," from Fr. (voiture) omnibus "(carriage) for all, common (conveyance)," from L. omnibus "for all," dat. pl. of omnis "all" (see omni-). Introduced by Laffitte in Paris, 1820. In ref. to legislation, the word is recorded from 1842. Meaning "man or boy who assists a waiter at a restaurant" is attested from 1888 (cf. busboy).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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