title

Where does the word "title" come from? It comes from Latin titulus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Title’s story begins in Latin: titulus meant “inscription, label.” Used for a label on a book scroll or tomb. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as title. Used for book names and ranks of nobility. It reached English by 1300s as title. Sports 'titles' date from the 1900s. Today, title means the name of a book or work; a rank.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient titulus "inscription, label", used for a label on a book scroll or tomb.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval title "title", used for book names and ranks of nobility.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s title "inscription", sports 'titles' date from the 1900s.