adj. & n.
--adj.
1. conforming to a rule or principle; systematic.
2 (of a structure or arrangement) harmonious, symmetrical (regular features).
3 acting or done or recurring uniformly or calculably in time or manner; habitual, constant, orderly.
4 conforming to a standard of etiquette or procedure; correct; according to convention.
5 properly constituted or qualified; not defective or amateur; pursuing an occupation as one's main pursuit (cooks as well as a regular cook; has no regular profession).
6 Gram. (of a noun, verb, etc.) following the normal type of inflection.
7 colloq. complete, thorough, absolute (a regular hero).
8 Geom. a (of a figure) having all sides and all angles equal. b (of a solid) bounded by a number of equal figures.
9 Eccl. (placed before or after noun) a bound by religious rule. b belonging to a religious or monastic order (canon regular).
10 (of forces or troops etc.) relating to or constituting a permanent professional body (regular soldiers; regular police force).
11 (of a person) defecating or menstruating at predictable times.
12 Bot. (of a flower) having radial symmetry.
--n.
1. a regular soldier.
2 colloq. a regular customer, visitor, etc.
3 Eccl. one of the regular clergy.
4 colloq. a person permanently employed.
Phrases and idioms:
keep regular hours do the same thing, esp. going to bed and getting up, at the same time each day.
Derivatives:
regularity n. regularize v.tr. (also -ise). regularization n. regularly adv.
Etymology: ME reguler, regular f. OF reguler f. L regularis f. regula RULE