c.1386, "a medicine," from O.Fr. farmacie, from M.L. pharmacia, from Gk. pharmakeia "use of drugs or medicines," from pharmakeus "preparer of drugs," from pharmakon "drug, poison, philter, charm, spell, enchantment." Meaning "use or administration of drugs" is attested from c.1400; that of "place where drugs are prepared and dispensed" is first recorded 1833. Pharmacist coined in Eng. 1834.

–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 o 3e8 f 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.