注册表 (zhù cè biǎo) — Windows registry

Definition

A Windows-specific term: the hierarchical database (the Windows registry) that stores system and software settings. Does not mean a generic "registration form."

noun
Windows registry

Examples

  • 注册表。
    Nǐ xū yào dǎ kāi zhù cè biǎo cái néng xiū gǎi zhè xiē shè zhì.
    You need to open the registry to modify these settings.
  • 注册表。
    Zhè ge ruǎn jiàn huì zài zhù cè biǎo lǐ tiān jiā xīn de jiàn zhí.
    This software will add new key values in the registry.
  • 注册表。
    Qīng lǐ zhù cè biǎo kě yǐ tí shēng diàn nǎo de yùn xíng sù dù.
    Cleaning the registry can improve the computer's running speed.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

注册register
注zhùenter册cèregister
动宾Verb + object
表biǎotable

注册 gives the act of entering a register and 表 gives a table, so it names a registry.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
水水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
主
主zhǔ注zhù
Same sound today

注 combines 水, meaning water, with 主, which gives the sound.

Open 注 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 冊; 册 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 冊 shows bamboo slips strung together, the pages of a book; the simplified 册 is a later shorthand.

Open 册 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape 表 pairs 衣 (garment) with 毛 (hair or feather), originally an outer garment.

Open 表 →

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