Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

ti·tle       (tīt'l)  Pronunciation Key  n.   An identifying name given to a book, play, film, musical composition, or other work. A general or descriptive heading, as of a book chapter. Written material to be read by viewers that is included in a film or television show, typically presenting credits, narration, or dialogue. Often used in the plural. A written piece of translated dialogue superimposed at the bottom of the frame during a film; a subtitle. The coincidence of all the elements that constitute the fullest legal right to control and dispose of property or a claim. The aggregate evidence that gives rise to a legal right of possession or control. The instrument, such as a deed, that constitutes this evidence. Something that provides a basis for or justifies a claim. A legitimate or alleged right. See Synonyms at claim. A source of income or area of work required of a candidate for ordination in the Church of England. A Roman Catholic church in or near Rome having a cardinal for its nominal head. Law A heading that names a document, statute, or proceeding. A division of a law book, declaration, or bill, generally larger than a section or article. A written work that is published or about to be published: the titles in a press's fall catalog. Law The coincidence of all the elements that constitute the fullest legal right to control and dispose of property or a claim. The aggregate evidence that gives rise to a legal right of possession or control. The instrument, such as a deed, that constitutes this evidence. Something that provides a basis for or justifies a claim. A legitimate or alleged right. See Synonyms at claim. A source of income or area of work required of a candidate for ordination in the Church of England. A Roman Catholic church in or near Rome having a cardinal for its nominal head. Something that provides a basis for or justifies a claim. A legitimate or alleged right. See Synonyms at claim. A source of income or area of work required of a candidate for ordination in the Church of England. A Roman Catholic church in or near Rome having a cardinal for its nominal head. A formal appellation attached to the name of a person or family by virtue of office, rank, hereditary privilege, noble birth, or attainment or used as a mark of respect. A descriptive name; an epithet. Sports A championship. Ecclesiastical A source of income or area of work required of a candidate for ordination in the Church of England. A Roman Catholic church in or near Rome having a cardinal for its nominal head. tr.v.   ti·tled, ti·tling, ti·tles To give a title to; entitle. To call by a name; style. [Middle English, from Old English titul, superscription, and from Old French title, title, both from Latin titulus.]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
title 

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

title
noun
1.	a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with; "Title 8 provided federal help for schools"
2.	the name of a work of art or literary composition etc.; "he looked for books with the word 'jazz' in the title"; "he refused to give titles to his paintings"; "I can never remember movie titles"
3.	a general or descriptive heading for a section of a written work; "the novel had chapter titles"
4.	the status of being a champion; "he held the title for two years" [syn: championship]
5.	a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it; "he signed the deed"; "he kept the title to his car in the glove compartment" [syn: deed]
6.	an identifying appellation signifying status or function: e.g. 'Mr.' or 'General'; "the professor didn't like his friends to use his formal title"
7.	an established or recognized right; "a strong legal claim to the property"; "he had no documents confirming his title to his father's estate"; "he staked his claim"
8.	(usually plural) written material introduced into a movie or TV show to give credits or represent dialogue or explain an action; "the titles go by faster than I can read"
9.	an appellation signifying nobility; "'your majesty' is the appropriate title to use in addressing a king"
10.	an informal right to something; "his claim on her attentions"; "his title to fame" [syn: claim]
verb
1.	give a title to [syn: entitle]
2.	designate by an identifying term; "They styled their nation 'The Confederate States'" [syn: style]

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: ti·tle
Function: noun
Etymology: Anglo-French, inscription, legal right, from Old French, from Latin titulum inscription, chapter heading, part of the law that sanctions an action
1 a : the means or right by which one owns or possesses property; broadly : the quality of ownership as determined by a body of facts and events

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after–acquired title
: title that vests automatically in a grantee when acquired by a grantor who purported to sell the property before acquiring title; also : a doctrine that requires such vesting —compare estoppel by deed at ESTOPPEL 1
NOTE: The doctrine of after-acquired title generally does not apply when the grantor receives title by quitclaim deed; to vest title in the grantee the deed must include words expressing such an intention.

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clear title
: title that exists free of claims or encumbrances on the property clear title to the farm>; broadly : MARKETABLE TITLE in this entry

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equitable title
: title vested in one who is considered by the application of equitable principles to be the owner of property even though legal title is vested in another equitable title to and an insurable interest in the property>; specifically : the right to receive legal title upon performance of an obligation

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good title
: title to property (as a negotiable instrument or real property) that is valid in fact or law or beyond a reasonable doubt good title to the item>; especially : MARKETABLE TITLE in this entry

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In·di·an title
: title held by American Indians that consists of the right to occupy certain land with the permission of the United States government Indian title, and any rights appurtenant to the title, without obtaining the consent of the Indian peoples —In re Rights to Use Water in Big Horn River System(s), 753 Pacific Reporter, Second Series 76 (1988)> —compare RESERVATION

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just title
in the civil law of Louisiana : a juridical act (as a sale or donation) sufficient to transfer ownership or a real right; also : the title that derives from such an act just title>
NOTE: For the purposes of acquisitive prescription, the requirement of just title is satisfied by an act that would have been sufficient to transfer ownership if it had been executed by the true owner.

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legal title
: title that is determined or recognized as constituting formal or valid ownership (as by virtue of an instrument) even if not accompanied by possession or use legal title to the property> legal title to the goods until the debt was paid> —compare legal interest at INTEREST 1

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lu·cra·tive title
/'lü-kr&-tiv-/
: title to property acquired by gift, succession, or inheritance lucrative title remained the separate property of the spouse>

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marketable title
: title that is subject to no reasonable doubt as to its validity or freedom from encumbrance and that can be reasonably sold, purchased, or mortgaged marketable title to the property>; specifically : title of such quality that a purchaser under contract should be compelled to accept it called also merchantable title
NOTE: Clear title and good title are commonly used to indicate marketable title.

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onerous title
1 in the civil law of Louisiana : title that depends on the giving of consideration for the property
2 : title to property that is acquired through the labor or skill of a spouse and is included in community property

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paper title
: title shown on a document paper title was held by her husband>

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par·a·mount title
/'par-&-"maunt-/
: title that renders inferior any other title to the property paramount title>

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particular title
in the civil law of Louisiana : title by which one possesses or owns particular property received (as by purchase, gift, or legacy) before or after the death of an ancestor particular title does not continue the possession of his ancestor —A. N. Yiannopoulos> —see also particular legacy at LEGACY —compare UNIVERSAL TITLE in this entry

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record title
: title shown on the public record

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tax title
: title obtained by the purchaser of property at a tax sale; also : title held by a governmental body to property seized because of tax delinquency

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universal title
: title acquired by the conveyance causa mortis of a specified proportion (as one-fourth) of all of the conveyor's property interests or all of a specified type of the conveyor's property interests esp. so that upon the conveyor's death the recipient stands as a universal successor universal title> b : an instrument (as a deed) that is evidence of ownership c : CERTIFICATE OF TITLE 1a title fees>
2 a : the name or heading of something (as a proceeding, statute, or book) b often cap : a division of a statutory or regulatory code or of an act <Title IX>

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Title

Ti"tle\, n. [OF. title, F. titre, L. titulus an inscription, label, title, sign, token. Cf. Tilde, Titrate, Titular.]

1. An inscription put over or upon anything as a name by which it is known.

2. The inscription in the beginning of a book, usually containing the subject of the work, the author's and publisher's names, the date, etc.

3. (Bookbindng) The panel for the name, between the bands of the back of a book.

4. A section or division of a subject, as of a law, a book, specif. (Roman & Canon Laws), a chapter or division of a law book.

5. An appellation of dignity, distinction, or pre["e]minence (hereditary or acquired), given to persons, as duke marquis, honorable, esquire, etc.

With his former title greet Macbeth. --Shak.

6. A name; an appellation; a designation.

7. (Law) (a) That which constitutes a just cause of exclusive possession; that which is the foundation of ownership of property, real or personal; a right; as, a good title to an estate, or an imperfect title. (b) The instrument which is evidence of a right. (c) (Canon Law) That by which a beneficiary holds a benefice.

8. (Anc. Church Records) A church to which a priest was ordained, and where he was to reside.

Title deeds (Law), the muniments or evidences of ownership; as, the title deeds to an estate.

Syn: Epithet; name; appellation; denomination. See epithet, and Name.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Title

Ti"tle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Titled; p. pr. & vb. n. Titling.] [Cf. L. titulare, F. titrer. See Title, n.] To call by a title; to name; to entitle.

Hadrian, having quieted the island, took it for honor to be titled on his coin, "The Restorer of Britain." --Milton.