Etymology Map
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Title

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the name of a book or work; a rank

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

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

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.