• Register

    Pronunciation

    • UK IPA: /ˈɹɛdÊ’.ɪst.ɜː(ɹ)/
    • US IPA: /ˈɹɛdʒɪstÉš/
    • Rhymes: -ɜː(r)

    Alternative forms

    Origin

    From Medieval Latin registrum, from Late Latin regesta ("list, items recorded"), from Latin regerere ("to record, to carry back"), from re- + gerere ("to carry, bear"). Compare Latin registoria ("a treasurer"). Some senses influenced by association with Latin regere ("to rule").

    Full definition of register

    Noun

    register

    (plural registers)
    1. A formal recording of names, events, transactions etc.The teacher took the register by calling out each child's name.
    2. A book of such entries.
      • ShakespeareAs you have one eye upon my follies, ... turn another into the register of your own.
    3. An entry in such a book.
    4. The act of registering.
    5. A certificate issued by the collector of customs of a port or district to the owner of a vessel, containing the description of a vessel, its name, ownership, and other material facts. It is kept on board the vessel, to be used as evidence of nationality or as a muniment of title.
    6. One who registers or records; a registrar; especially, a public officer charged with the duty of recording certain transactions or events.a register of deeds
    7. A device that automatically records a quantity.
    8. The part of a telegraphic apparatus that automatically records the message received.
    9. (telecommunications) A list of received calls in a phone set.
    10. (computing) Part of the central processing unit used to store and manipulate numbers.
      • 1992, Michael A. Miller, The 68000 Microprocessor Family: Architecture, Programming, and Applications (page 47)When the microprocessor decodes the JSR opcode, it stores the operand into the TEMP register and pushes the current contents of the PC ($00 0128) onto the stack.
    11. (printing) The exact alignment of lines, margins and colors.
    12. (printing) The inner part of the mould in which types are cast.
    13. (music) The range of a voice or instrument.
    14. (music) An organ stop.
    15. (linguistics) A style of a language used in a particular context
      • My ex-boss used "let go", in the euphemistic register, when he sacked me.
      • 1988, Andrew Radford, Transformational grammar: a first course Chapter 5It seems equally clear that the ‘Complement + Prepositionʼ order illustrated in (172) (a) is likewise highly marked, and hence subject to heavy restrictions on its use. And sure enough, this does indeed seem to be the case: for one thing, forms such as thereafter, herein, whereby are stylistically highly marked (e.g. they are only used in particular registers such as legal language).
    16. A grille at the outflow of a ventilation duct.
    17. (mostly, US) short form for cash register

    Synonyms

    Related terms

    Verb

    1. (transitive) To enter in a register.
    2. (transitive) To enroll, especially to vote.
      • 2008, Barack Obama, Letter to Vibe MagazineI am running for President to take this country in a new direction. But I can’t do it alone. I need you. Whether it’s the first time, or the first time in a long time, I need you to register and vote on November 4th.
    3. (transitive) To record, especially in writing.
      • 2011, November 3, Chris Bevan, Rubin Kazan 1 - 0 Tottenham, Tottenham, who lost William Gallas to injury before the end, struggled to find any sort of response and did not register a single shot on target.
      • 1914, Jack London, The Mutiny of the Elsinore Chapter VIIIn every way dinner proved up beyond my expectations, and I registered a note that the cook, whoever or whatever he might be, was a capable man at his trade.
    4. (transitive) To express outward signs.
    5. (transitive, mail) To record officially and handle specially.
    6. (transitive, printing) To adjust so as to be properly aligned.
    7. (intransitive) To place one's name, or have one's name placed in a register.
    8. (intransitive) To enroll as a student.
    9. (intransitive) To make an impression.
    10. (intransitive) To be in proper alignment.
    11. (legal) To voluntarily sign over for safe keeping, abandoning complete ownership for partial.
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