intitule
C2 / Extremely RareFormal, Legal, Archaic
Definition
Meaning
To give a title or name to (a legislative act, document, or book).
A formal, primarily British, legal and administrative verb for the act of bestowing an official title or designation, especially upon an Act of Parliament or a formal document.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost exclusively used in the passive voice ('be intituled') within legal and historical contexts. It denotes the formal naming process rather than the creative act of titling.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is almost entirely confined to British legal/historical contexts. In modern American English, it is virtually unknown; 'entitle' or 'title' is used instead.
Connotations
In UK usage, it carries connotations of tradition, legal formality, and historical continuity. In the US, if encountered, it would be perceived as a highly obscure archaism.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, but has a vestigial presence in UK statute titles (e.g., 'An Act intituled...'). Near-zero frequency in contemporary American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Document/Act] + be + intituled + [Title] (Passive)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in historical or legal studies when quoting old statutes.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Exclusively in the formal, traditional phrasing of certain UK Acts of Parliament.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The 1707 Act of Union is intituled 'An Act for a Union of the Two Kingdoms of England and Scotland'.
- The historical bill was intituled in the traditional manner.
American English
- (Virtually no usage) The founding document was entitled 'Articles of Confederation'. (American equivalent)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as adverb)
American English
- (Not used as adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Not used as adjective)
American English
- (Not used as adjective)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The old law was intituled in a very formal style.
- In legal history, you often see the phrase 'An Act intituled...'.
- The researcher noted that the 18th-century statute was intituled differently in its draft and final versions.
- This archaic verb, 'to intitule', survives only in the preambles of certain historical parliamentary acts.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'IN+TITLE' - you put a title INto a document. It's the formal British way to 'entitle' a law.
Conceptual Metaphor
BESTOWING A NAME IS FORMALLY ATTACHING IT (to a document).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'интриговать' (to intrigue). It is unrelated. The closest common equivalent is 'озаглавить' or, more formally, 'наименовать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in active voice (e.g., 'They intitule the act...').
- Using it in modern, informal contexts.
- Confusing it with 'entitle' in the sense of 'to give a right to'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'intitule' most likely to be found?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the specific sense of 'to give a title to', they are synonyms. However, 'entitle' is modern, common, and also means 'to give a right to'. 'Intitule' is archaic, formal, and used almost exclusively in passive legal contexts.
No. It is an extremely rare and archaic term. Using it would seem affected or confusing. Always use 'entitle', 'title', or 'call' instead.
It is retained because it appears in the official titles of many historical UK Acts of Parliament. It is a 'fossil word' preserved for legal and historical accuracy.
Yes, but it is even rarer. 'Intitulation' refers to the act of giving a title or the title itself, used in similarly formal or historical contexts.