n. & v.
n. 1 the name of a book, work of art, piece of music, etc. 2 the heading of a chapter, poem, document, etc. 3 a the contents of the title-page of a book. b a book regarded in terms of its title (published 20 new titles). 4 a caption or credit in a film, broadcast, etc. 5 a form of nomenclature indicating a person's status (e.g. professor, queen) or used as a form of address or reference (e.g. Lord, Mr, Your Grace). 6 a championship in sport. 7 Law a the right to ownership of property with or without possession. b the facts constituting this. c (foll. by to) a just or recognized claim. 8 Eccl. a a fixed sphere of work and source of income as a condition for ordination. b a parish church in Rome under a cardinal.
v.tr. give a title to. title-deed a legal instrument as evidence of a right, esp. to property. title-page a page at the beginning of a book giving the title and particulars of authorship etc. title role the part in a play etc. that gives it its name (e.g. Othello).
[ ME f. OF f. L titulus placard, title ]