title

title in law, the means by which the owner has just and legal possession of his or her property. It is distinct from the document (e.g., a deed) that is evidence of the title. Title can be lost or acquired only by the methods established by law, that is, by inheritance or by purchase. Several persons may have different titles to the same property. While one holds a legal title (a claim to the land that is recognized by a court), another may hold an equitable title (the right to have the legal title transferred to him if certain conditions are met). This occurs if there is a mortgage on the land. If a person holds land free of all encumbrances he may claim to have perfect title. When property is purchased, a title search is made to make certain that the seller is the legitimate owner of the title he is selling; the resulting document is an abstract of title .

ti·tle / ˈtītl/ • n. 1. the name of a book, composition, or other artistic work: the author and title of the book. ∎  (usu. as titles) a caption or credit in a movie or broadcast. ∎  a book, magazine, or newspaper considered as a publication: the company publishes 400 titles a year. 2. a name that describes someone's position or job: Leese assumed the title of director general. ∎  a word such as Senator or Dame that is used before someone's name, or a form that is used instead of someone's name, to indicate high social or official rank: he will inherit the title of Duke of Marlborough. ∎  a word such as Mrs. or Dr. that is used before someone's name to indicate their profession or marital status. ∎  a descriptive or distinctive name that is earned or chosen: Nata's deserved the title of Best Restaurant of the Year. 3. the position of being the champion of a major sports competition: Davis won the world title for the first time in 1981. 4. Law a right or claim to the ownership of property or to a rank or throne: a local family had title to the property| the buyer acquires a good title to the merchandise. 5. (in church use) a fixed sphere of work and source of income as a condition for ordination. ∎  a parish church in Rome under a cardinal. • v. [tr.] (usu. be titled) give a name to (a book, composition, or other work): a song titled "You Rascal, You."

title †inscription or legend; ground of right or claim XIII; name of a book, etc., descriptive appellation XIV; (eccl.) certificate of presentation to a benefice, etc.; legal right to possession XV. — OF. title (mod. titre) — L. titulus placard, inscription, title.