The meaning of "retitle" is to give a new title to something that already has a title. The IPA phonetic transcription for "retitle" is /riːˈtaɪtl/. The word starts with a stressed "ree" sound followed by an unstressed "t" sound. The pronunciation then moves on to an unstressed "tie" sound, which is quickly followed by a stressed "tl" sound. The silent "e" at the end signifies that the vowel preceding it is pronounced with a long sound.
The verb "retitle" refers to the act of changing or modifying the title or heading of something, such as a book, article, document, artwork, or any other creative or intellectual work. This term is primarily used in the context of written or visual works and is often done to convey a different meaning, highlight a specific aspect, or enhance the clarity of the work's content.
Retitling can involve various alterations to the original title, including adding or removing words, rearranging the order of words, or completely replacing the existing title. The aim of retitling is to capture the essence of the work in a concise and appealing manner, which can significantly impact its reception, perception, and overall engagement from the audience.
Retitling can be performed by the original creator of the work or by someone else, such as an editor, publisher, curator, or critic. It requires careful consideration of the work's purpose, themes, message, and target audience. By retitling a piece, one can reframe its meaning, evoke specific emotions, enhance its marketability, or adapt it to different cultural or linguistic contexts.
Overall, "retitle" is an action verb that highlights the process of changing the title or heading of a creative or intellectual work to better convey its purpose, meaning, or appeal.
The etymology of the word "retitle" is relatively straightforward. It is a combination of the prefix "re-" and the noun "title".
The prefix "re-" is derived from Latin and means "again" or "back". It is commonly used to indicate repetition, restoration, or reversal. In the case of "retitle", the prefix suggests doing something to a title again or changing it back to a previous state.
The noun "title" comes from the Old English word "titul", which originally referred to an inscription or label. Over time, the meaning expanded to include the name or designation of a written work, document, or position.
Therefore, "retitle" essentially means to change or modify the designation or label of something, specifically referring to a written work, document, or a position.