bus

bus [Lat. omnibus =for all], large public conveyance. A horse-drawn urban omnibus was introduced in Paris in 1662 by Blaise Pascal and his associates, but it remained in operation for only a few years. The omnibus reappeared c.1812 in Bordeaux, France, and afterward in Paris (c.1827), London (1829), and New York City (1830). It often carried passengers both inside and on the roof. Buses were motorized early in the 20th cent.; motorbus transportation increased rapidly and is now used in most countries. A number of railroad companies operate subsidiary bus lines. A network of bus lines links all parts of the United States; many small cities and towns which have lost rail service in recent years are served only by bus lines. Buses are powered usually by gasoline or diesel engines, but in a few cities electric motors fed from overhead wires are used. The construction of small buses is similar to that of heavy automobiles, while the construction of large buses is similar to that of heavy trucks. Some large cities now use articulated buses, which can seat more than 60 passengers; such buses are constructed in two parts and joined, or articulated, with an accordian-style sleeve.

bus / bəs/ • n. (pl. bus·es or bus·ses ) 1. a large motor vehicle carrying passengers by road, esp. one serving the public on a fixed route and for a fare: [as adj.] a bus service. 2. Comput. a distinct set of conductors carrying data and control signals within a computer system, to which pieces of equipment may be connected in parallel. • v. (bus·es, bused, bus·ing or bus·ses, bus·sed, bus·sing ) 1. [tr.] (often be bused) transport in a communal road vehicle: managerial staff was bused in and out of the factory. ∎  transport (a child of one race) to a school where another race is predominant, in an attempt to promote racial integration. 2. [tr.] remove (dirty tableware) from a table in a restaurant or cafeteria: I'd never bused so many dishes in one night.