n. & v.
n. 1 an official list e.g. of births, marriages, and deaths, of shipping, of professionally qualified persons, or of qualified voters in a constituency. 2 a book in which items are recorded for reference. 3 a device recording speed, force, etc. 4 (in electronic devices) a location in a store of data, used for a specific purpose and with quick access time. 5 a the compass of a voice or instrument. b a part of this compass (lower register). 6 an adjustable plate for widening or narrowing an opening and regulating a draught, esp. in a fire-grate. 7 a a set of organ pipes. b a sliding device controlling this. 8 = cash register (see CASH(1)). 9 Linguistics each of several forms of a language (colloquial, formal, literary, etc.) usually used in particular circumstances. 10 Printing the exact correspondence of the position of printed matter on the two sides of a leaf. 11 Printing & Photog. the correspondence of the position of colour-components in a printed positive.
v. 1 tr. set down (a name, fact, etc.) formally; record in writing. 2 tr. make a mental note of; notice. 3 tr. enter or cause to be entered in a particular register. 4 tr. entrust (a letter etc.) to a post office for transmission by registered post. 5 intr. & refl. put one's name on a register, esp. as an eligible voter or as a guest in a register kept by a hotel etc. 6 tr. (of an instrument) record automatically; indicate. 7 a tr. express (an emotion) facially or by gesture (registered surprise). b intr. (of an emotion) show in a person's face or gestures. 8 intr. make an impression on a person's mind (did not register at all). 9 intr. & tr. Printing correspond or cause to correspond exactly in position. registered nurse a nurse with a State certificate of competence. registered post a postal procedure with special precautions for safety and for compensation in case of loss. register office Brit. a State office where civil marriages are conducted and births, marriages, and deaths are recorded with the issue of certificates. °The name in official use, and generally preferred to registry office. registrable adj.
[ ME & OF regestre, registre or med.L regestrum, registrum, alt. of regestum f. LL regesta things recorded (as RE-, L gerere gest- carry) ]