Pertain - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

per·tain

Audio Help [per-teyn] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used without object)

1.	to have reference or relation; relate: documents pertaining to the lawsuit.

2.	to belong or be connected as a part, adjunct, possession, or attribute.

3.	to belong properly or fittingly; be appropriate.

[Origin: 1300–50; ME pertenen, partenen, perteinen < MF partein-, tonic s. of partenir < L pertinére to be applicable, lit., to hold through, reach, equiv. to per- per- + -tinére, comb. form of tenére to hold

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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Pertain

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

per·tain Audio Help (pər-tān') Pronunciation Key
intr.v. per·tained, per·tain·ing, per·tains

To have reference; relate: evidence that pertains to the accident.
To belong as an adjunct, part, holding, or quality.
To be fitting or suitable.

[Middle English pertenen, pertainen, from Old French partenir, from Latin pertinēre : per-, per- + tenēre, to hold; see ten- in Indo-European roots.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
pertain

c.1350, from O.Fr. partenir "to belong," from L. pertinere "to reach, stretch, relate, have reference to," from per- "through" + tenere "to hold" (see tenet).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

pertain
verb
1.	be relevant to; "There were lots of questions referring to her talk"; "My remark pertained to your earlier comments" [syn: refer]
2.	be a part or attribute of

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Pertain

Ap`per*tain"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Appertained; p. pr. & vb. n. Appertaining.] [OE. apperteinen, apertenen, OF. apartenir, F. appartenir, fr. L. appertinere; ad + pertinere to reach to, belong. See Pertain.] To belong or pertain, whether by right, nature, appointment, or custom; to relate.

Things appertaining to this life. --Hooker.

Give it unto him to whom it appertaineth. --Lev. vi. 5.

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