registrar
UK[ˌredʒɪˈstrɑː]US[ˈredʒɪˌstrɑːr]
n
an official in a college or university who is responsible for keeping student records
n
a person whose job is to keep official records, especially in a court of law or for a professional organization
Morpheme Breakdown
register
ar
register
record
ar
person connected with
Etymology
the word 'registrar' originates from the medieval latin registrarius, meaning "one who keeps a record." this term is built upon the earlier latin regesta, a noun derived from regerere meaning "to carry back, record," which itself combines the prefix re- (back) and gerere (to carry, bear). the suffix -arius, common in latin for forming agent nouns, was appended to create a term for the person responsible for the register. entering english in the late middle ages, the word evolved from a general keeper of records to its modern, specialized meanings in legal, academic, and professional contexts, where it denotes an official entrusted with maintaining authoritative lists or archives.
Analysis
Structure: register + ar
- register: from latin regesta (list, record), via medieval latin registrum. functions as the core root meaning "record" or "list".
- ar: from latin -arius (suffix forming nouns denoting an agent). functions as an agent noun suffix meaning "person connected with".
Examples
she needed a copy of her transcript, so she contacted the university registrar.
the court registrar called the case and swore in the witnesses.
he was appointed registrar of the medical association, responsible for licensing practitioners.