–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.

–noun

1.	a direction or route taken or to be taken.

2.	the path, route, or channel along which anything moves: the course of a stream.

3.	advance or progression in a particular direction; forward or onward movement.

4.	the continuous passage or progress through time or a succession of stages: in the course of a year; in the course of the battle.

5.	the track, ground, water, etc., on which a race is run, sailed, etc.: One runner fell halfway around the course.

6.	a particular manner of proceeding: a course of action.

7.	a customary manner of procedure; regular or natural order of events: as a matter of course; the course of a disease.

8.	a mode of conduct; behavior.

9.	a systematized or prescribed series: a course of lectures; a course of medical treatments.

10.	a program of instruction, as in a college or university: a course in economics.

11.	a prescribed number of instruction periods or classes in a particular field of study.

12.	a part of a meal served at one time: The main course was roast chicken with mashed potatoes and peas.

13.	Navigation. a. the line along the earth's surface upon or over which a vessel, an aircraft, etc., proceeds: described by its bearing with relation to true or magnetic north. b. a point of the compass.

14.	Nautical. the lowermost sail on a fully square-rigged mast: designated by a special name, as foresail or mainsail, or by the designation of the mast itself, as fore course or main course.

15.	Building Trades. a continuous and usually horizontal range of bricks, shingles, etc., as in a wall or roof.

16.	one of the pairs of strings on an instrument of the lute family, tuned in unison or in octaves to increase the volume.

17.	the row of stitches going across from side to side in knitting and other needlework (opposed to wale ).

18.	Often, courses. the menses.

19.	a charge by knights in a tournament.

20.	367 a pursuit of game with dogs by sight rather than by scent.

21.	golf course.

22.

a race.

–verb (used with object)

23.	to run through or over.

24.	to chase; pursue.

25.	to hunt (game) with dogs by sight rather than by scent.

26.	to cause (dogs) to pursue game by sight rather 6b7 than by scent.

27.	Masonry. to lay (bricks, stones, etc.) in courses.

–verb (used without object)

28.	to follow a course; direct one's course.

29.	to run, race, or move swiftly: The blood of ancient emperors courses through his veins.

30.	to take part in a hunt with hounds, a tilting match, etc.

—Idioms

31.	in due course, in the proper or natural order of events; eventually: They will get their comeuppance in due course.

32.	of course, a. certainly; definitely: Of course I'll come to the party. b. in the usual or natural order of things: Extra services are charged for, of course.

–adjective

1.	enjoying personal rights or liberty, as a person who is not in slavery: a land of free people.

2.	pertaining to or reserved for those who enjoy personal liberty: They were thankful to be living on free soil.

3.	existing under, characterized by, or possessing civil and political liberties that are, as a rule, constitutionally guaranteed by representative government: the free nations of the world.

4.	enjoying political autonomy, as a people or country not under foreign rule; independent.

5.	exempt from external authority, interference, restriction, etc., as a person or one's will, thought, choice, action, etc.; independent; unrestricted.

6.	able to do something at will; at liberty: free to choose.

7.	clear of obstructions or obstacles, as a road or corridor: The highway is now free of fallen rock.

8.	not occupied or in use: I'll try to phone her again if the line is free.

9.	exempt or released from something specified that controls, restrains, burdens, etc. (usually fol. by from or 3e8 of): free from worry; free of taxes.

10.	having immunity or being safe (usually fol. by from): free from danger.

11.	provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment: free parking; a free sample.

12.	given without consideration of a return or reward: a free offer of legal advice.

13.	unimpeded, as motion or movement; easy, firm, or swift.

14.	not held fast; loose; unattached: to get one's arm free.

15.	not joined to or in contact with something else: The free end of the cantilever sagged.

16.	acting without self-restraint or reserve: to be too free with one's tongue.

17.	ready or generous in giving; liberal; lavish: to be free with one's advice.

18.	given readily or in profusion; unstinted.

19.	frank and open; unconstrained, unceremonious, or familiar.

20.	unrestrained by decency; loose or licentious: free behavior.

21.	not subject to special regulations, restrictions, duties, etc.: The ship was given free passage.

22.	of, pertaining to, or characterized by free enterprise: a free economy.

23.	that may be used by or is open to all: a free market.

24.	engaged in by all present; general: a free fight.

25.	not literal, as a translation, adaptation, or the like; loose.

26.	uncombined chemically: free oxygen.

27.	traveling without power; under no force except that of gravity or inertia: free flight.

28.	Phonetics. (of a vowel) situated in an open syllable (opposed to checked ).

29.	at liberty to enter and enjoy at will (usually fol. by of): to be free of a friend's house.

30.	not subject to rules, set forms, etc.: The young students had an hour of free play between classes.

31.	easily worked, as stone, land, etc.

32.	Mathematics. (of a vector) having specified magnitude and direction but no specified initial point. Compare bound 1 (def. 9).

33.	Also, large. Nautical. (of a wind) nearly on the quarter, so that a sailing vessel may sail free.

34.	not containing a specified substance (often used in combination): a sugar-free soft drink.

35.	(of a linguistic form) occurring as an independent construction, without necessary combination with other forms, as most words. Compare bound 1 (def. 11).

36.	without cost, payment, or charge.

–adverb

37.	in a free manner; freely.

38.	Nautical. away from the wind, so that a sailing vessel need not be close-hauled: running free.

–verb (used with object)

39.	to make free; set at liberty; release from bondage, imprisonment, or restraint.

40.	to exempt or deliver (usually fol. by from).

41.	to relieve or rid (usually fol. by of): to free oneself of responsibility.

< 875 td class="dnindex">42.

to disengage; clear (usually fol. by from or of).

—Verb phrase

43.	free up, a. to release, as from restrictions: Congress voted to free up funds for the new highway system. b. to disentangle: It took an hour to free up the traffic jam.

—Idioms

44.	for free, Informal. without charge: The tailor mended my jacket for free.

45.	free and clear, Law. without any encumbrance, as a lien or mortgage: They owned their house free and clear.

46.	free and easy, a. unrestrained; casual; informal. b. excessively or inappropriately casual; presumptuous.

47.	make free with, a. to use as one's own; help oneself to: If you make free with their liquor, you won't be invited again. b. to treat wit 5af h too much familiarity; take liberties with.

48.	set free, to release; liberate; free: The prisoners were set free.

49.	with a free hand, generously; freely; openhandedly: He entertains visitors with a free hand.