A Title Was Originally an Inscription
A title is the name of a work or a person's rank. The Latin word meant an inscription on a monument.
A title is the name of a book or work, a person's rank, or legal ownership of property. Latin *titulus* meant an inscription or label — the placard on a monument, the tag on a scroll — and every modern sense follows from labelling. Legal *title* is the label proving ownership; a nobleman's *title* is the label of his rank. The *tittle* in *jot and tittle* is the same word, meaning a tiny mark such as the dot on an i.
- A work's name. *The book's title.*
- A rank. *A hereditary title.*
- Legal ownership. *Title deeds.*
- Tittle — a tiny mark. *Jot and tittle.*
- Latin — *titulus*, an inscription. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | title | A title. |
| Plural | titles | Titles. |
| Verb | title | Titled. |
| Adjective | titular | Titular. |
| Related | tittle | A tittle. |
- The title is printed on the cover.Book.
- He inherited the title.Rank.
- The title deeds are with the bank.Law.
Senses of title
- A work's name — a book, film or song
- A rank — duke, professor, doctor
- Legal ownership — as recorded in title deeds
- A championship — winning the title in sport
- Titular — holding a title in name only, without the power
Old French *title*, from Latin *titulus*, an inscription, label or heading.
What is a tittle?
A tiny mark such as the dot over an i. It comes from the same Latin word as title and survives mainly in the phrase jot and tittle.
What does titular mean?
Holding a title in name only. A titular head of state has the rank but not the executive power.