pertain

[ per-teyn ]

/ pərˈteɪn /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pertain ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Nearby words

persulfate, persulfuric acid, persulphuric acid, pert, pert., pertain, perth, perth amboy, perth and kinross, perthes disease, perthite

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

Related forms

un·per·tain·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pertaining

We can't dismiss these human costs as pertaining to only somebody else.
Gun Violence Isn't a Racial Problem|David Frum|January 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Orthograph′ic, -al, pertaining or according to orthography: spelt correctly.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various
Is there anything else pertaining to this history into which you would like to inquire?
At Last|Marion Harland
Some trustees were appointed to investigate the whole affair, for Fred was as ignorant as a child of all pertaining to the mill.
Hope Mills|Amanda M. Douglas

Animal magnetism, pertaining to organized beings, acts upon their corresponding but higher molecules in the same general way.
The Church of St. Bunco|Gordon Clark
He was execrated as were all things sent by Spain or pertaining to Spanish rule.
The Journal of Negro History, Vol. I. Jan. 1916|Various

British Dictionary definitions for pertaining

pertain

/ (pəˈteɪn) /

verb (intr often foll by to)

to have reference, relation, or relevanceissues pertaining to women

to be appropriatethe 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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012