I. ˈtīd. ə l, -īt ə l noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English titel, title, from Old French titele, title, from Latin titulus inscription, label, title
1.
a. obsolete : an inscription placed over, upon, or under something to describe, distinguish, explain, or entitle it : legend
b. : an inscription placed on a cross usually above a crucified person or on a crucifix
Pilate wrote a title , and put it on the cross — Jn 19:19 (Authorized Version)
c. : written material introduced into a motion picture or television program to give credits, explain an action, or represent dialogue — compare credit , subtitle
2.
a. : the union of all the elements constituting legal ownership and being divided in common law into possession, right of possession, and right of property
b. : something that constitutes a legally just cause of exclusive possession : the body of facts or events that give rise to the ownership of real or personal property
good title to an estate
an imperfect title
c. : the instrument (as a deed) that is evidence of a right
3.
a. : something that justifies or substantiates a claim : sufficient proof or justification : a valid reason : a ground of right
his services give him a title to our gratitude
unable to establish his title of authorship
b. : an alleged or recognized right
he has no title to anticipate our support
4.
a. : a descriptive or general heading (as of a chapter in a book)
b. : the heading which names an act or statute, by which it is distinguished from others, and which at common law forms no part of the act but in case of ambiguity sometimes is referred to as an aid in interpretation
c. : the heading of a legal declaration setting forth the names of the parties and the court and the calendar or docket number of the case
5.
a. : the distinguishing name of a written, printed, spoken, or filmed production (as a book, pamphlet, essay, or poem): as
(1) : the principal name consisting of a word or phrase and sometimes appearing on the binding (as of a book) in the shortest form that will be distinctive — see half title , short title , subtitle
(2) : all material on a title page preceding the author's name or its substitute and sometimes including a subtitle and various pieces of descriptive matter
(3) : all the matter on a title page including punctuation marks especially in an old or rare book
b. : a similar distinguishing name given to a picture, statue, musical composition, or other work
6. : a sphere of work or a source of income or maintenance required by a bishop of a candidate for ordination
7. : a descriptive name : a distinctive appellation or designation
gallants, lads, boys, hearts of gold, all the titles of good fellowship — Shakespeare
earned for him the title of “father of the American psychological novel” — American Guide Series: New Jersey
8. : a Roman Catholic parish church in or near Rome of which a cardinal is titular head
9. : a division of an instrument or book ; especially : one of a portion of a bill or act that usually is larger than a section or article
this act, divided into title and sections — U.S.Code
10. obsolete : an assertion of right : claim
an eagerness after employments in the state was looked upon … as the worst title a man could set up — Jonathan Swift
11.
a. : an appellation of dignity, honor, distinction, or preeminence attached on a hereditary or acquired basis to a person or family by virtue of rank, office, precedent, privilege, or attainment, possession of or association with certain lands, or as a mark of respect
no title of nobility shall be granted by the United States — U.S.Constitution
— see courtesy title
b. : a person holding a title and especially a title of nobility
saw to it that their daughters married authentic foreign titles — J.D.Hart
12.
a. : title page
b. : the first book section containing the title page
c. : title space
d. : a gold-stamped leather label for a book backbone
e. : a specially printed title page for insertion in a deluxe book in place of or preceding a text title
13. : a literary work or book as distinguished from a particular copy
fifty titles of fiction and ten copies of each in the library
the press published 15 titles last year — Book Production
14. : championship 1
won the boxing title
holder of the indoor tennis title
II. transitive verb
( titled ; titled ; titling -īd. ə liŋ, -īt( ə )liŋ ; titles )
Etymology: Middle English titelen, from titel title
1.
a. : to provide a title for (as a book) : furnish with a title : give a title to
b. : to stamp or otherwise print the title of (a book) on the front cover or backbone
2.
a. : to designate or call by a title (as of relationship, rank, or office) : term , style
their sovereign titled himself King of the Franks — James Bryce
b. : to dignify with an appellation or designation of rank : endow with a title
III. adjective
Etymology: title (I)
: of or relating to a title: as
a. : used for or in the production of a printed title (as on the backbone of a book)
title leather
b. : having the same name as the title of a production
act the title role in Hamlet
c. : having the same title as or providing the title for the collection or production of which it forms a part
title essay
title poem
title song
title story
d. : of, relating to, or involving a championship (as in sports)
title match
title contest
e. : of, used in, or involved in the production of written material introduced into a motion picture or television program
title artist
title background
title music
title card