pertain
[ per-teyn ]
/ pərˈteɪn /
verb (used without object)
to have reference or relation; relate: documents pertaining to the lawsuit.
to belong or be connected as a part, adjunct, possession, or attribute.
to belong properly or fittingly; be appropriate.
Origin of pertain
1300–50; Middle English
pertenen, partenen, perteinen < Middle French
partein-, tonic stem of
partenir < Latin
pertinēre to be applicable, literally, to hold through, reach, equivalent to
per-
per- +
-tinēre, combining form of
tenēre to hold
OTHER WORDS FROM pertain
un·per·tain·ing, adjectiveWords nearby pertain
persulfate,
persulfuric acid,
persulphuric acid,
pert,
pert.,
pertain,
perth,
perth amboy,
perth and kinross,
perthes disease,
perthite
Example sentences from the Web for pertained
British Dictionary definitions for pertained
pertain
/ (pəˈteɪn) /
verb (intr often foll by to)
to have reference, relation, or relevance
issues pertaining to women
to be appropriate
the product pertains to real user needs
to belong (to) or be a part (of); be an adjunct, attribute, or accessory (of)
Word Origin for pertain
C14: from Latin
pertinēre, from
per- (intensive) +
tenēre to hold