adj. & n.
--adj.
1. of or relating to a title (the book's titular hero).
2 existing, or being what is specified, in name or title only (titular ruler; titular sovereignty).
--n.
1. the holder of an office etc. esp. a benefice, without the corresponding functions or obligations.
2 a titular saint.
Phrases and idioms:
titular bishop a bishop, esp. in a non-Christian country, with a see named after a Christian see no longer in existence. titular saint the patron saint of a particular church.
Derivatives:
titularly adv.
Etymology: F titulaire or mod.L titularis f. titulus TITLE