What is the British meaning of words in P.D. James book

[Dave Sommer]

My wife and i read Agatha Christie, and occasionally P.D. James. The current James book is from 1986 and uses some words I can't quite understand from context. First is surgery; is that a meeting room? Next is an A registration for an automobile; what is that?
Thanks for your help

[dirk w dondorp]

a surgery is an operation in hospital -medical dept.
A class is excempted class- Tax dept.
that's where google comes in :-)
Dirk

[John Penny]

Dave,

It's difficult to give a precise answer without the context of the sentences but visiting or going to the surgery is usually referring to a visit to a General Practitioner. What would be described in the US as visiting the Doctor's Office. (Politicians also hold surgeries where members of the public can discuss issues in person with them but this is less frequently used)

If you are asking about the phrase "A" Registration then that is referring to the prefix or suffix letter on a vehicle registration plate which in the UK usually indicates the date of first registration and likely age of the vehicle so in this case would be either 1963(suffix A) or more likely in this case, 1983(prefix A)

Hope that helps

[Duncan M]

Surgery refers to an operating room if Agatha is talking about a place.

[i.thomson]

"surgery" here refers to the place where you consult the doctor (general Practitioner). The place where operations take place is the "operating theatre".

Ian Thomson

[John Penny]

Surgery refers to an operating room if Agatha is talking about a place.

As an approaching 60 year old English person I refer you to my correct answer to this question above

We do not refer to an operating theatre as a surgery.

P D James used (British) English in her books

[EdCallo]

Watch enought British shows on PBS and you will realize that "surgery" is what we here in America refer to as the Doctors office.

Ed