register

Pronunciation

• IPA: UK /ˈredʒ.ɪ.stə/, US /ˈredʒ.ɪ.stɚ/^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English registre,^[2][3] borrowed from Old French registre, regestre (13th century),^[3][2] and directly from Medieval Latin registrum, regestrum,^[3][2] an alteration of Late Latin regesta “list, matters recorded”,^[3][2] the neuter plural of regestus, past participle of regerere (“to record; literally to carry back”),^[3][2][4] from re- “back” and gerere “to carry, bear”.^[3][2] The second r came in by the influence of other Latin nouns in -istrum.^[3] Some later senses, in organs and printing, were influenced by the unrelated Latin regere “to rule, guide” and French régir.^[3][5] It is related to gesture and digest.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

A book in which regular entries are made: 1377 in the OED,^[6] about 1378 in Barnhart, in a version of Piers Plowman,^[2] the late 14th century in Etymonline.^[3]

Semantic evolution

The verb, to record in a list, is from 1390 in the OED,^[6] before 1393 in Gower,^[2] and to enrol someone from about 1400.^[3] The set of pipes of an organ stop is from 1585,^[2] and the compass of a voice or instrument from 1811, in Busby's Complete Dictionary of Music.^[2][3] Exact alignment in printing is from the 1680s.^[3] A plate for regulating the passage of air or heat is from the 17th century.^[5] A device that records data automatically is from 1830,^[2][3] and the cash register from 1875 in American English.^[2] To enter one's name as a voter or hotel guest is by 1848,^[3] a registered nurse from 1879,^[3] and of feelings, to show or make an impression, from 1901.^[3][2] In linguistics a register is a variety of language set by its degree of formality and choice of vocabulary.^[7][4] A separate register, an alteration of registrar, is the keeper of a register, from the 1530s.^[3][6]

Timeline

• 1377 – a book of records.^[6]
• 1390 – verb, to record.^[6]
• c. 1400 – to enrol.^[3]
• 1585 – an organ stop.^[2]
• 1680s – in printing.^[3]
• 1811 – the range of a voice.^[2][3]
• 1830 – a recording device.^[2][3]
• 1848 – to register as a voter or guest.^[3]
• 1875 – cash register.^[2]
• 1901 – to show a feeling.^[3][2]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. A formal or official record of items, names or actions, or a book in which they are entered.
2. A device that records a quantity automatically, as a cash register.
3. (music) The range of a voice or instrument, or a part of it.
4. A grille or plate that controls the flow of heated or cooled air.
5. (linguistics) A variety of language marked by its degree of formality, vocabulary and syntax.
6. (computing) A part of the central processing unit that holds a small amount of data.

Verb

1. To enter in an official register; to enrol, especially to vote or attend classes.
2. To show on an instrument or scale: the thermometer registered zero.
3. To show or express: her face registered surprise.
4. To make an impression; to be noticed: the name didn't register.
5. To send (mail) by registered post.

Word family

• registerer
• registrable
• enregister
• registration
• registry
• self-registering

Related words

• registrar
• gesture
• digest

Usage notes

In Warwickshire dialect to register was to repair shoes.^[8]

References

1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. ^ a b Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ a b c d e Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ Soanes, Catherine; Stevenson, Angus, eds. (2004), Concise Oxford English Dictionary, 11th ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
8. ^ Wright, Joseph, ed. (1898–1905), The English Dialect Dictionary, 6 vols., Oxford: Henry Frowde; via EDD Online 4.0, University of Innsbruck (CC BY 4.0)