[syn: on-line(a), online]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
online \on"line`\, on-line \on"-line`\adj.
1. 1 (Computers) connected by a communications line to a
computer. Opposite of off-line.
Syn: online, on line(predicate).
[WordNet 1.5]
2. [prenominal] being in progress now; ongoing; as, on-line
editorial projects. [Colloq.]
Syn: in progress(predicate), ongoing, on line(predicate).
[WordNet 1.5]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
on-line
adj 1: on a regular route of a railroad or bus or airline
system; "on-line industries" [syn: on-line, online]
[ant: off-line]
2: connected to a computer network or accessible by computer;
"an on-line database" [syn: on-line, online] [ant: off-
line]
3: being in progress now; "on-line editorial projects" [syn:
on-line(a), online]
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):
on-line
1. Ready for use. E.g. "The graph plotter's fixed
and on-line again".
2. Interactive as opposed to batch. Accessible via a
computer (or terminal), rather than on paper or other
medium.
3. Of a user, actively using a computer system, especially the
Internet. E.g "I haven't been on-line for three days."
"On-line" should be hyphenated because it is compounded from
two words but the hyphen is often omitted in names of
organisations or services.
(1998-12-22)