'online' originates from the combination of 'on' and 'line', where 'on' meant 'in contact with' and 'line' referred to a 'connection or network'.

'online' evolved from the concept of being 'on the line' or connected to a network, eventually becoming the modern English word 'online'.

Initially, it meant 'connected to a line or network', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'connected to the internet'.