Middle English Dictionary Entry
tī̆tle n.
Entry Info
| Forms | tī̆tle n. Also titel(e, titil(e, titille, titul(e, titulle, tetil & (error) tilyle; pl. titles, etc. & tetlis. |
| Etymology | OF title, titel(e, AF titil, titule & L titulus; cp. OE (Nhb.) tī̆tul. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1a.
(a) An inscription, esp. the superscription on Christ's cross; (b) a stone memorial; also, a stone altar.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Gen.35.20 : Þis is þe tytle of þe monument of Rachel.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)16685 : Abouen his hefd..a bord was festen plate; þar-on was þe titel writen, thoru þe rede o sir pilate.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)6/21 : The table abouen his heued..on the whiche the tytle was writen in Ebreu, greu, & latyn, was of Olyue.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)5071 : Þis titill was of twa tongis tane out & grauen.
- a1475 Cross of ihesu (Rwl B.408)27 : Titulle of þi passion..us saue.
- c1483(?a1450) OT in Caxton Gold.Leg.(Caxton)48b/b : Rachel deyde and was buryed in the way toward..Bethleem; Jacob reysid a tytle [Vulg. Gen.35.20: titulum] vpon her tombe; this is the tytle of the monumente of Rachel vnto this present day.
- a1500 Add.37075 Gloss (Add 37075)31/150a : Titulus: tetyll.
b
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Kings 18.18 : Absolon hadde arered vp to hym whan ȝit he lyuede a title þat is in þe valei of þe kyng..& he clepede þe title bi his name.
- c1400 WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.9)Lev.26.1 : [Roy 1.C.8: Nether ȝe schulen reise] titlis, that is, auteris for ydolatrye.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Gen.35.14 : Jacob reiside a title, ether memorial of stoonys, in the place where ynne God spak to hym.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)187/9 : Jacob rerid vp a stoon into title whilis he promisid to god.
1b.
(a) A small mark or stroke made with a penpoint; (b) the name of the symbol for the Latin word est; (c) the smallest part of something.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mat.5.18 : Oon i, that is leste lettre, or titil shal nat passe fro the lawe til alle thingis be don.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)494 : Tytylle..apex.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)34 : So is no man worþi to mak a letter or title of his to go by vnfillid.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)128b : A Tytill..Apex.
b
- c1175 Stw.57 Abecedarium (Stw 57)450 : Z: zede..&: et..÷: titel.
c
- a1450 ?Audelay An a byrchyn bonke (Dc 302)220/65 : Our conny[n]g wil turne vs to tene, Fore tytle I trow we bene tane.
2.
(a) The name of a book or section of a book; a descriptive heading for a book or section of a book; (b) a section of a book; (c) a topic, subject [last quot. could also be construed as (b)]; (d) a letter; also, the text of a book [1st quot.].
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Lam.head.p.239 : Her begynneþ þe lamentacioun of Jeremy þat is in title Cenoth.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.329 : For to come to cleer and ful knowleche of þat lond, þese tyteles þat folweþ oponeþ þe way.
- c1400 WBible(2) Gloss.Hab.(Lamb 25)3.1 : This title is in Ebrew, and is of the text.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)7122 : Right so..Sourmounteth this noble euangile The word of ony euangelist, And to her title they [four Evangelists] token Crist.
- c1460(a1449) Lydg.Look TM (Hrl 2255)209 : Go litel bille withoute title or date.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)128b : A Tytill of A buke: titulus, elenchus, vt sequencia sancti euangelij secundum lucam.
- a1500(a1450) Ashmole SSecr.(Ashm 396)20/12 : The begynnyng..of all the x bokes, and the titules of all the chapiters therof [Y shewe].
b
- c1460 Oseney Reg.157/15 : A sentence diffinitife Agaynste William..of þe smale tithis In litull Tywe, above In the titull of 'litull Tywe'.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)42/26-7 : I..haues..wretyn..all þe Chapitres of the titles, so þat þat ys askyd may mor redily be founden yn certeyns tetlys.
c
- c1390(c1350) NHom.(2) PSanct.(Vrn)97/18 : Jon..seide to him ..'Lord..who Schal þe bitraye'..petur saih þat disciple Speke to Jhesu of þis title.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.8 : Henry of Huntyngton testimons þis title: þe kyngdom of Westsex, he sais, it was not litelle.
- a1475 Gilb.Angl.(Wel 537)64/5 : Here beginneþ þe fourþe chaptir of þis boke, þat conteineþ sixe titles or practises.
d
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1044 : Þare tuke he tribute þat tyme þe titill [Dub: text] recordis.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3566 : Sone as þis clause..[was] comyn..he bedis it to rede; His tulkis, of þis titill quen þai þe tenour herd, Þan ware þai sory of þa sawes.
3.
An appellation attaching to an individual or family by virtue of rank, social position, or office; also iron.; a descriptive or distinctive appellation; also, a descriptive label attaching to an act.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) Trev.Barth.(Add 27944:Seymour)761/31 : Þei..suffre none..to be gretter amonge hem vndir þe title of knyȝthode.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.2797 : Omer..þou gretly art to blame: Causeles to ȝeue hym [Achilles] swiche a name, With a title of triumphe and glorie.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.488 : A title [vr. tytele] he gan him for to borwe Of other siknesse, lest men of hym wende That the hote fir of love hym brende.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.402 : Ȝif a man were ayre aparant of Englond..many men wolden do him worship for þis worldli titil.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)2.m.7.13 : Greet houses or kynredes shynen with cleer titles [vr. titlys] of honours.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)6660 : Diomedes he ȝaff a titel And with his swerd a comyssioun.
- c1425 Treat.10 Com.(StJ-O 94)33 : The woman þat taketh anoþer man þen hir howsboonde, scho defiliȝth hir howsboonde bed with a titul of forsakynge.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1592 : He saȝe..forgid a plate, Þar-in grauen þe grettest of all gods names, Þis title Tetragramaton.
- a1500(c1447) Let.Marg.Anjou in Camd.86 (Add 46846)93 : Oure..chappellein eschewing principally the hurte of yor title..hath laboured the parsonne of Corf..to resign frely the said chirch.
4.
A name under which an activity or condition is sanctioned, esp. one used to conceal the true nature of the activity or condition; bi ~ of, under (the) ~ of, under the rubric of (sth.).
Associated quotations
- (1395) Wycl.37 Concl.(Tit D.1:Compston)741 : Clerkis moun haue temporal godis bi title of almese.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.2882 : Exyoun..þei trete [Hesione] in dishonest wyse, Ageyn al riȝt and title of iustice.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)2.90 : Þei feynen of alle þer dedis þat þei ben Cristis werkes, and þus þei lyven bi title of Crist.
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)24/1 : Þai ar war & eschew losse of warldly gude, vndyr þe tityll of gostely rest couetis hydand in despyte of þinges euerlastinge.
- ?c1450(?a1400) Wycl.Clergy HP (Lamb 551)391 : Gregor..ordenyd first tiþis to be payde to curatis oonly..Ne þai may be..ȝouen to eny oþer state..all-þouȝ men wolden do þat undir coloure or bi titille of perpetualle almes.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)108 : To beg understond is sum nedy man to aske be syde þe titul of worldly dett helpe for his releue.
- a1500(1439) Lydg.Sts.AA (Lnsd 699)2906 : Woo to hym that..Werkith of ivil bi fals collusion, Without title or trouthe of reson.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)51/9 : Notwithstonding thei wourshipid ydoles..yet He wolde not that hurte..were done to suche placis..which thei made vndir title of the deite.
5.
(a) The grounds or basis for the assertion of a legal claim; a reason, cause; also, the justification for an act; ~ of right; ~ or right, right and ~; ~ claim; (b) the assertion of a claim or right; (c) authorization, warrant.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3512 : Hir batailles who so list hem for to rede Agayn Sapor..Why she conquered and what title ther to.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.4900 : Paris..be title of riȝt, Of fairnes bare awey þe flour.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.55 : Al þe tresour..Ne hath not bene departed..Amonges vs..by title of equite.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)1090 : Vnto hym longeth the heritage Be discent and be title of age.
- (1425) RParl.4.271a : Ther are to consider..two yinges..oon matier of possession, anoyr thing verrey title of right.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)275 : I haue title to take tribute of Rome.
- (1443) Paston2.11 : Send me þe endenture.. þat I may know..oure ryght and titil.
- (1448) Shillingford69 : The evidencis..buth redy to shewe..concernyng the title clayme of franchises and libertees of the..Cite of Excetre.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)76/9 : What title has the kyng to werre?
- (c1452) Complaint Scrope in Scrope Castle Combe281 : In the firste yere that my fader Fastolf was maried to my moder, he solde me for v c marcs, withoute any titill or right.
- (1461-6) Paston2.322 : Ye desired to knowe my titylle of ryght..I am very heyre..to a place called Keswyk..with all the apportenauncez.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.De Prof.(LdMisc 683)25 : Ground of thys psalme, tytyl & orygynall Vnto purpos a ffygure..Jonas whylom devouryd with a whaall.
- a1500(?c1378) Wycl.OPastor.(Ryl Eng 86)415 : Bi what lawe shulden we haue title to curse þus for oure lesse wrongis?
- a1500(c1465) SEChron.(Lamb 306)22 : Kynge Edwarde made him redy..for to chalange the crowne be right tytell and erytaunce.
b
- a1425(?c1384) Wycl.Church (Bod 788)339 : Bi þis hope..shulden be two synnes fled, pride of men and coveitise, bi title þat þei ben men of holi Chirche, For no pope..woot where he be of þe Chirche.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2350 : Byde them neuere be so bolde..to aske trybut..be nakyn tytle.
- a1500 Erly in a someristide (Lamb 306)29 : An M for marche, treue in eueri titell & triall.
c
- a1425(?c1384) Wycl.Church (Bod 788)348 : But ȝif þei han oþir title þan ben bullis of þe pope..þei shulen be dampned, And þis title of Crist..were ynowȝ to Cristene men, as it was in Petris tyme.
6.
(a) A legal right to the possession of land or immovable property, a legal claim;—also used of the devil's legal claim to sinners [quot. c1400(c1378)]; (b) a title deed, the evidence of the right to a property; also, ?a legal document setting forth the evidence available.
Associated quotations
a
- (1357) Gaytr.LFCatech.(Yk-Borth R.I.11)56/243 : In whilk is forboden us..to take Ony thing..As robes or richesse or othir catell, That we have no gode title ne no right to.
- (?1387) Wimbledon Serm.(Corp-C 357)79/300 : Þey haueþ [enteryd] wiþ fals tytle oþer fals and corupt intencion, and þey haueþ had pore mennes goodis to here mysvsyng.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)18.291 : We haue no trewe title [vr. tilyle] to hem for þorwgh tresoun were þei dampned.
- (c1400) Gower PP (Eg 2862)12 : Thi title is knowe uppon thin ancestrie, The londes folk hath ek thy riht affermed.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.3386 : Herry þe Fyfþe..hath conquered his herytage ageyn And..Recured eke his trewe title of Fraunce.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)2005 : He shal not be title of no bond Reioysse in Thebes half a foot of londe.
- (1436) Doc.Trade in BRS 767 : By force of whiche takyng the kyng hath his tytell and right therein.
- (1446) Doc.in Morsbach Origurk.37 : John Roppe..pretendith to haue a ryght tytle and astate..off the manor of Stapley.
- (a1467) Paston2.326 : If hit please youre maystership, with-ought he can shewe a lawfull tytell, þat he be rewled by yow to avoyde his wrongfull possession and claym in this be-half.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)1.741 : Be debate is loste right, title, goodis, and lyffe: This is thende of werre, debate, and stryffe.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)2.178 : Hoso occupye onyþing withoutyn ryȝtful titele, he is boundyn to restitucion of alle þe harmys..þat cam þerof.
- ?a1500 Purchasers Land (Lamb 306)44 : Who-so wylle be ware of purchassyng, Consydre..the tytle of the sellere, That it stonde in no dawngeer Of no womans doweere.
b
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.248 : Þei brouht.. þe olde chartres & titles þat wer in Abbays hand.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)55 : Be it awarded in the same maner, ȝif he may not shewyne that he hath more hye ryght thanne he hadde be forne..and that it be more lattere titule thanne the forseyd pleynt be.
- (a1444) Doc.in Morsbach Origurk.29 : Hyt plesyd youre grace..to se hys evydennce and title of rygh in þe seyd maner, londes and tenementes.
- (1473-5) Proc.Chanc.in Cal.PCEliz.2.p.lviii : This is the title and answer of John Saunder, aswell to the bill of compleynt of Johanne Saunder as to the answer of John Jurdan.
- (1473-5) Proc.Chanc.in Cal.PCEliz.2.p.lix : Johan seieth..that ther was no such bargayne betwext the seid John Saunder and Richard Saunder, as is surmytted in the title and answer of the seid John Saunder.
- -?-(1469) Will in Som.RS 16201 : They wille to see..that euery creature that I haue hadde lande of..that theire titles be seen.
7.
A certificate of presentment to a benefice, certificate of entitlement given when one is ordained.
Associated quotations
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)11.281-3 : Þe title þat þei [vr. ye] take ordres by telleth ȝe ben auaunced; Þanne nedeth nouȝte ȝow to take syluer for masses þat ȝe syngen, For he þat toke ȝow ȝowre tytle [C: titile] shulde take ȝow ȝowre wages, Or þe bisshop þat blesseth ȝow.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)163/25 : This Pope gaue þe benefices of Ynglond to þe cardinales þat were vacaunt, and mad new tytiles þerto.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)2.181 : Ȝif a clerk haue no titele & þerfor þe buschop wil nout ordryn hym & he preye anoþir preste þat he presente hym..þe prest þat so presentith hym ben suspendyd.
8.
One of the parish churches of Rome.
Associated quotations
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)20 : Cimiterium in agro uerano is at seynt laurens extra muros; Cimiterium priscille at þe same title.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)85/8 : Seynt Sabyn..was his titel whan he was cardinal.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)188/19 : Pope Urbane degraded þese cardinales..of þe title of Seint Cecile.
9.
As surname.
Associated quotations
- (1375) Leet R.Norwich in Seld.Soc.568 : Thomas Tytel.