–adjective

1.	operating under the direct control of, or connected to, a main comp d3e uter.

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 narrow, elongated depression, groove, notch, slit, or aperture, esp. a narrow opening for receiving or admitting something, as a coin or a letter.

2.	a place or position, as in a sequence or series: The program received a new time slot on the broadcasting schedule.

3.	Linguistics. (esp. in tagmemics) a position having a specific grammatical function within a construction into which any one of a set of morphemes or morpheme sequences can be fit. Compare filler (def. 9).

4.	an assignment or job opening; position: I applied for 105e the slot in management training.

5.	Journalism. a. the interior opening in a copy desk, occupied by the chief copy editor. b. the job or position of chief copy editor: He had the slot at the Gazette for 20 years. Compare rim (def. 7).

6.	an allocated, scheduled time and place for an aircraft to take off or land, as authorized by an airport or air-traffic authority: 40 more slots for the new airline at U.S. airports.

7.	Informal. slot machine (def. 1).

8.	Aeronautics. See under slat1 (def. 2).

9.	Ornithology. a narrow notch or other similar opening between the tips of the primaries of certain birds, which during flight helps to maintain a smooth flow of air over the wings.

10.	Ice Hockey. an unmarked area near the front of an opponent's goal that affords a vantage for an attacking player.

11.	Computers. expansion slot.

–verb (used with object)

12.	to provide with a slot or slots; make a slot in.

13.	to place or fit into a slot: We've slotted his appointment for four o'clock.

–verb (used without object)

14.	to fit or be placed in a slot.