pertain

[per-teyn]

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.

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 formsun·per·tain·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for pertains

Contemporary Examples

Americans exactingly measure everything that pertains to their material well-being.
Love and Loneliness in America
David Frum
February 12, 2013
But in fact, after age 16, as pertains to the Secret Service, they will be on their own.
A Response to David Mamet on Gun Control
Michael Tomasky
January 28, 2013
But my takeaway from the evening pertains this time more to substance than to style.
Obama Wins, the Middle Class Loses
David Frum
October 17, 2012

Historical Examples

We now note the following, which pertains to their business.
The Book of Khalid
Ameen Rihani
I receive packets from all quarters; it pertains to my office.
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. IX
Various
They have the same interest in all which pertains to good government.
The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume IV
Various
"It pertains to heaven, not earth, my dear," said O'Gorman dryly.
Mary Louise in the Country
L. Frank Baum (AKA Edith Van Dyne)
Lara thoroughly comprehends Palestine and all that pertains to it.
Tancred
Benjamin Disraeli

British Dictionary definitions for pertains

pertain

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

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

Word Origin and History for pertains

pertain

v.

early 14c., from Old French partenir "to belong to" and directly from Latin pertinere "to reach, stretch; relate, have reference to; belong, be the right of; be applicable," from per- "through" (see per) + tenere "to hold" (see tenet). Related: Pertained; pertaining.

pertain

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Related Words

Examples from the Web for pertains

Contemporary Examples

Americans exactingly measure everything that pertains to their material well-being.

But in fact, after age 16, as pertains to the Secret Service, they will be on their own.

But my takeaway from the evening pertains this time more to substance than to style.

Historical Examples

We now note the following, which pertains to their business.

I receive packets from all quarters; it pertains to my office.

They have the same interest in all which pertains to good government.

"It pertains to heaven, not earth, my dear," said O'Gorman dryly.

Lara thoroughly comprehends Palestine and all that pertains to it.

pertain

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for pertains

pertain

v.

Origin of pertain