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on-line

[on-lahyn, awn-]
–adjective
1. operating under the direct control of, or connected to, a main computer.
2. connected by computer to one or more other computers or networks, as through a commercial electronic information service or the Internet.
3. of or denoting a business that transmits electronic information over telecommunications lines: an on-line bookstore.
4. available or operating on a computer or computer network: an on-line dictionary.
5. by means of or using a computer: on-line shopping.
6. Radio. (of a network) supplying affiliated stations with all or a substantial part of their programming.
7. Television. of or pertaining to the final editing of a videotaped program.
8. done or accomplished while in operation or active service: on-line maintenance.
9. located on major routes or rail lines: on-line industries.
–adverb
10. with or through a computer, esp. over a network.
Also, online, on line.
Compare off-line.


Origin:
1945–50
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To online
on·line or on-line   (ŏn'līn', ôn'-)   
adj.  
    1. Under the control of a central computer, as in a manufacturing process or an experiment.

    2. Connected to a computer or computer network.

    3. Accessible via a computer or computer network: an online database.

  1. In progress; ongoing: online editorial projects.

on'line' adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

online

A term referring to locations on or use of the Internet. The term can be used to refer to a specific location or Web page (“Our sales catalogues can be found online at — ”) or to a personal activity (“I went online to find the information you wanted.”)

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

online 
in ref. to computers, "directly connected to a peripheral device," is attested from 1950 (originally as on-line).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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