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pertain

 - 3 dictionary results

per⋅tain

  [per-teyn]
–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.
Use pertain in a Sentence
Origin:
1300–50; ME pertenen, partenen, perteinen < MF partein-, tonic s. of partenir < L pertinēre to be applicable, lit., to hold through, reach, equiv. to per- per- + -tinēre, comb. form of tenēre to hold
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To pertain
per·tain   (pər-tān')   
intr.v.   per·tained, per·tain·ing, per·tains

  1. To have reference; relate: evidence that pertains to the accident.

  2. To belong as an adjunct, part, holding, or quality.

  3. 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.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

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).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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