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Omnibus primarily refers to a collection or volume containing several works, articles, or stories published together. It can also refer to a bus carrying many passengers.
/ˈɒmnɪbəs/ (noun)
Definition of Omnibus
An omnibus is a book, publication, or other collection that brings together several previously separate works, episodes, stories, or articles in one volume. The word can also mean a large public bus, especially in historical usage.
In modern English, omnibus is commonly used for a collection of several works, particularly in publishing. For example, an omnibus edition of a novel series may contain several books in a single volume.
The word can also function as an adjective, especially in formal contexts, meaning covering or including many different things. For example, an omnibus bill contains provisions dealing with several different subjects.
Synonyms and Antonyms of Omnibus
Synonyms:
- collection
- compilation
- anthology
- compendium
- miscellany
Antonyms:
There is no single clear antonym for omnibus because its meaning depends on context. When referring to a collection, possible contrasts include individual work, single item, or separate volume.
Video of Omnibus
Omnibus in Context
The publisher released an omnibus edition of the popular fantasy series, combining the first three novels into a single large volume. Readers who had followed the series separately could now purchase all three books together.
The library also acquired an omnibus of classic detective stories, bringing together works by several well-known authors. Such collections are useful for readers who want to explore related stories without buying each book individually.
In another context, omnibus can describe something that covers many subjects at once. For example, an omnibus bill in government may contain numerous provisions addressing different issues, making the term especially common in formal and political writing.
Origin of Omnibus
Omnibus comes from Latin omnibus, meaning “for all” or “for everyone.” It is the dative plural of omnis, meaning “all.” In the early 19th century, omnibus was used in French for a horse-drawn public vehicle intended for everyone, giving rise to the modern word bus. The sense of a collection containing “all” or many related works developed later.
