Pertain
/pərˈteɪn/noun
To relate to or be connected with something; to belong as a proper part or concern.
Did you know?Pertain ultimately comes from Latin *pertinēre*, a verb built from *per-* (“through, thoroughly”) + *tenēre* (“to hold”), the same ancient root behind words like *tense*, *tenure*, and *tenant* — all carrying the idea of holding on.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ten-
“to stretch, extend, hold”
Latin
Latin
tenēre
“to hold, keep, possess”
Latin
Latin
pertinēre
“to stretch through, extend to, belong to; to concern”
Old French
Old French
partenir
“to belong to, concern”
Middle English
English
partenen
“to belong, relate”
Modern English
English
pertain
“to relate to or be connected with something”