subtitle
UK: ˈsʌbtaɪtl | US: ˈsʌbtaɪtl
n. a secondary or explanatory title, especially of a book or film
n. (often subtitles) captions displayed at the bottom of a screen translating or transcribing dialogue
vt. to provide with subtitles
The word "subtitle" combines the Latin prefix "sub-" (meaning "under") with "title" (from Latin "titulus," meaning "label" or "inscription"). Historically, it referred to secondary headings in texts, later extending to film captions placed "under" the visual frame. The morphemes reflect a literal spatial hierarchy (main title above, subtitle below) and functional support (clarifying or supplementing the primary title).
The book’s subtitle clarified its focus on 19th-century politics.
Turn on subtitles to understand the foreign dialogue.
The documentary was subtitled in three languages.
Her thesis included a witty subtitle to engage readers.
Streaming platforms now auto-generate subtitles for accessibility.