32 bit processor ?.

From: m sergei (sergei_m_1_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 08/15/04 

Date: 14 Aug 2004 16:54:45 -0700

what does it mean when one says that a Processor (CPU) is 32 bit ?

eg the Intel Pentium cpu has 32 bit registers like EAX, EBX, ECX etc.
Is this what determines if the processor is a 32 bit ?

And second what does it mean when one says for example, Linux is a 32
bit Operating System.

I found this on the HP web site:
A key benefit of HP Workstations based on IntelŪ ItaniumŪ 2 processors
is the ability to run both 64-bit applications and popular 32-bit
productivity applications like these.