online

or on-line, on line

[ on-lahyn, awn- ]
/ ˈɒnˈlaɪn, ˈɔn- /

adjective

adverb

with or through a computer, especially over a network.
Compare offline.

Origin of online

First recorded in 1945–50

Definition for on line (2 of 2)

Origin of line

1
before 1000; Middle English li(g)ne cord, rope, stroke, series, guiding rule, partly < Old French ligne ≪ Latin līnea, noun use of feminine of līneus flaxen (orig. applied to string), equivalent to līn(um) flax (see line2) + -eus -eous, partly continuing Old English līne string, row, series < Latin, as above

OTHER WORDS FROM line

lin·a·ble, line·a·ble, adjective line·less, adjective line·like, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for on line (1 of 3)

line 1
/ (laɪn) /

noun

verb

See also lines, line-up

Derived forms of line

linable or lineable, adjective lined, adjective linelike, adjective liny or liney, adjective

Word Origin for line

C13: partly from Old French ligne, ultimately from Latin līnea, n use of līneus flaxen, from līnum flax; partly from Old English līn, ultimately also from Latin līnum flax

British Dictionary definitions for on line (2 of 3)

line 2
/ (laɪn) /

verb (tr)

to attach an inside covering to (a garment, curtain, etc), as for protection, to hide the seaming, or so that it should hang well
to cover or fit the inside of to line the walls with books
to fill plentifully a purse lined with money
to reinforce the back of (a book) with fabric, paper, etc

Word Origin for line

C14: ultimately from Latin līnum flax, since linings were often made of linen

British Dictionary definitions for on line (3 of 3)

online

on-line

/ (ˈɒnˌlaɪn) /

adjective

of, relating to, or concerned with a peripheral device that is directly connected to and controlled by the central processing unit of a computer
of or relating to the internet online shopping
occurring as part of, or involving, a continuous sequence of operations, such as a production line

adverb

while connected to a computer or the internet
See offline

Medical definitions for on line

line
[ līn ]

n.

Scientific definitions for on line (1 of 2)

line
[ līn ]

A geometric figure formed by a point moving in a fixed direction and in the reverse direction. The intersection of two planes is a line.♦ The part of a line that lies between two points on the line is called a line segment.

Scientific definitions for on line (2 of 2)

online
[ ŏnlīn ]

Connected to or accessible by means of a computer or computer network.

Cultural definitions for on line (1 of 2)

line

A set of points that have one dimension — length — but no width or height. (See coordinates.)

Cultural definitions for on line (2 of 2)

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.”)

Idioms and Phrases with on line (1 of 2)

on line

1

See in line, def. 2.

2

Actively linked to or operating a computer, as in They haven't got the printer on line yet, or Mark's been on line all morning. [Late 1900s] Also see go on, def. 9.

Idioms and Phrases with on line (2 of 2)

line