More than one of these 7 encyclopedias carries each of the following subjects — but every one of them treats it in a sentence or two and then moves on. They are gathered here so the different accounts can sit side by side.
Omnibus
Aiton's Encyclopedia: a Latin word signifying for all. It is applied to a covered wagon designed to carry any who may choose to pay a fare. Under the shortened name of "bus," this sort of vehicle is a regular feature in railroad towns, where it plies to and fro between hotel and station, ordinarily at a charge of twenty-five cents for the round trip. The omnibus is said to have been an invention (1661) of Blaise Pascal, the eminent scientist of Paris, who amassed a moderate fortune from fares. The London omnibus dates from 1829; the New York vehicle, from 1830.
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a Latin word signifying "for all," and now applied in several languages to the well-known vehicle used for the conveyance of passengers at a cheap rate. The first conveyances of the kind were those which came into use in Paris (March, 1662) in consequence of an edict of Louis XIV., but they soon fell into disuse, and were not again reintroduced till 1827. A Mr. Shillibur started the first omnibus in London in 1829, and they were introduced into New York in 1830, and Amsterdam in 1839.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Omphale
1000 Classical Characters: A queen of Lydia, daughter of Jardanus. She married Tmolus, who at his death left her mistress of his kingdom. She had heard of the exploits of Hercules , and wished to see him. After he had slain Eurytus, Hercules was ordered to be sold as a slave, and was purchased by Omphale, who gave him his liberty. He fell in love with Omphale, who reciprocated his passion. He is represented by the poets as being so 202 IOOO CLASSICAL CHARACTERS infatuated with her that he sat spinning by her side surrounded by her women, while she garbed herself with his lion's skin, arming herself with his club. 2026 Editor's Note: Diodorus Siculus provides the first appearance of the Omphale theme in literature, though Aeschylus was aware of the episode. The myth inspired major artistic works, including a circa 1602 painting by Peter Paul Rubens now held in the Louvre Museum. These sources document how the classical narrative of Omphale and Hercules remained culturally significant through the Renaissance and beyond. (Ed: BR 2026-07-18)
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a queen of Lydia. She married Tmolus, who, at his death, left her mistress of his kingdom. She purchased Hercules, who had been sold as a slave for the recovery of his senses, after the murder of Eurytus. Omphale soon restored her slave to liberty, and the hero became enamored of his mistress. The queen favored his passion, and had a son by him.
Covered by 1000 Classical Characters and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Opera Glass
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a binocular telescope of the kind invented by Galileo. It has a plano-concave or double concave eye glass, so that the image is not inverted and little light is lost, thus securing great distinctness.
Aiton's Encyclopedia: . See Telescope
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and Aiton's Encyclopedia
Ops
1000 Classical Characters: A daughter of Coelus and Terra, the same as the Rhea of the Greeks, who married Saturn, and became mother of Jupiter . She was known among the ancients by the different names of Cybele , Bona Dea, Magna Mater, Thya, Tellus, and Proserpina . 2026 Editor's Note: This classical dictionary entry incorrectly identifies Ops with Proserpina (Persephone), who was actually the daughter of Ops's Greek equivalent, Rhea. In Roman religion, Ops was a distinct earth goddess of abundance and the consort of Saturn, celebrated in the festivals Opiconsivia and Opalia. While often conflated with the Greek Rhea, Ops maintained her own Roman cult and was specifically associated with the harvest's reserved portion as Ops Consiva. (Ed: BR 2026-07-20)
Aiton's Encyclopedia: . See Cybele
Covered by 1000 Classical Characters and Aiton's Encyclopedia
Orchard
Aiton's Encyclopedia: a plantation of fruit trees. An orchard may consist of one kind of fruit, as an apple orchard, peach orchard, plum orchard; or it may include several different kinds of fruit trees. The memory of the orchard with its fragrant blossoms, robins, orioles, bluebirds, and fruit, is a part of a child's rightful heritage. By way of distinction, small fruits, as raspberries, etc., are raised in gardens; or, if on an extensive scale, in fields; grapes in vineyards, and so on. See Apple ; Pear ; Peach ; Prune ; Plum , etc.
Collier's New Encyclopedia: an inclosure devoted to
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Origen
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a father of the Church, and one of the most learned ecclesiastical writers; was born in Alexandria, 185 A. D., of Christian parents, who instructed him in religious knowledge and in the sciences. He became cate He became catechist, or head of the Christian school of Alexandria. From Alexandria he went to Rome, where he began his famous "Hexapla," an edition of the Hebrew Bible with five Greek versions of it. He returned to Alexandria, and was ordained. Soon after this, he began his "Commentaries on the Scriptures." His great talents and popularity exposed him to the jealousy of the bishop, whose persecutions at length drove him from his native country, and made him a wanderer. Origen is supposed to have died in Tyre about the year 254.
1000 Classical Characters: A Greek writer, celebrated for his learning and the sublimity of his genius. He suffered martyrdom in his sixty-ninth year. His works are numerous, consisting of commentaries on the Scriptures and various treatises. a 2026 Editor's Note: Origen was tortured for his faith during the Decian persecution in 250 and died three to four years later from his injuries. His theological teachings proved so controversial that Emperor Justinian I condemned him as a heretic in 543 and ordered all his writings burned. He produced the Hexapla, the first critical edition of the Hebrew Bible, which contained the original Hebrew text alongside four different Greek translations arranged in parallel columns. (Ed: BR 2026-06-01)
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and 1000 Classical Characters
Ormulum
Aiton's Encyclopedia: or'mu-lum, a series of homilies, in verse, on the New Testament. Orm, an Augustinian canon of England, composed this work in the early part of the thirteenth century, and gave it his own name: This boc iss nemmned Orrmulum Forrthi that Orm itt wrohhte.
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a metrical translation of the Gospel history.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Ormuzd
Collier's New Encyclopedia: in Persian mythology, the ligion as it is set forth in the Zendavesta. According to this system (dualism), Ormuzd, the principle of light and purity, created six immortal spirits, then 28 subordinate spirits, and lastly the souls of men, while Ahriman, the opposing evil principle, produced six evil angels with sundry subordinate principles, leading, however, to the triumph of Ormuzd, when Ahriman will acknowledge his supremacy, and all creatures delivered from the dominion of evil.
Aiton's Encyclopedia: . See Mythology ; Persian
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and Aiton's Encyclopedia