a. (sb.) Now rare. [f. L. titul-us TITLE + -ARY1]
1. = TITULAR a. 1, 1 b.
1606. G. W[oodcocke], Lives Emperors, in Hist. Ivstine, Ll ij. The first action that Adolphus count of Nassau titularie Emperor vndertooke.
1617. Moryson, Itin., II. 93. The titulary Earle of Desmond could never after draw 100 men together.
1797. Earl Malmesbury, Diaries & Corr., III. 386. The title of King of France … was merely titulary.
1882–3. Schaff’s Encycl. Relig. Knowl., I. 157. Stephan Evadi Asseniani … was titulary archbishop of Apamaea in Syria.
2. = TITULAR a. 2.
1603. H. Crosse, Vertues Commw. (1878), 21. What is all this worlds pompe, or titulary preferments, if not atchieued by Vertue?
1721. Strype, Eccl. Mem., I. ii. 35. The King seemed to boast much of this titulary honour bestowed upon him so solemnly by the Pope and Cardinals.
1804. Eugenia de Acton, Tale without Title, II. 129. If any man values a titulary distinction.
† 3. = TITULAR a. 3. Obs.
a. 1618. Raleigh, in Gutch, Coll. Cur., I. 89. To embrace a vain and titulary conceit of land continuing a name, intimateth Paganism rather then Christianity.
1647. N. Bacon, Disc. Govt. Eng., I. xxxvii. (1739), 56. The trial by Battle … was in criminal matters with sharp Weapons; but in titulary matters with blunt Weapons.
† 4. = TITULAR a. 4. Obs.
1664. Fuller, Triana, in Wounded Consc., etc. (1867), 189. You have abused your titulary Saint, by pretending his relics the immediate cause of your restored sight.
B. sb. a. One who holds a title to something; = TITULAR sb. 2. b. One who bears a title of rank; = TITULAR sb. 3.
1726. Ayliffe, Parergon, 190. Persons… deputed for the Celebration of these Masses … were neither Titularies, nor perpetual Curates; but Persons entirely conductitious.
1792. State Papers, in Ann. Reg., 257. False titularies destitute of all canonical appointment.
1824. Landor, Imag. Conv., Alfieri & Salomon, Wks. 1846, I. 188/2. Their … influence, and … character place them … above the titularies of our country, be the rank what it may.
