PERTAIN

pertain, appertain

(verb) be a part or attribute of

refer, pertain, relate, concern, come to, bear on, touch, touch on, have to do with

(verb) be relevant to; “There were lots of questions referring to her talk”; “My remark pertained to your earlier comments”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Verb

pertain (third-person singular simple present pertains, present participle pertaining, simple past and past participle pertained)

(intransitive) to belong to or be a part of; be an adjunct, attribute, or accessory of

(intransitive) to relate, to refer, be relevant to

(intransitive) To apply; to be or remain in place; to continue to be applicable

Usage notes

• In all the above senses, pertain is followed by to (or formerly by unto, as in The King James Version of The Bible and in the plays of Shakespeare, although to is used in these works as well).

Synonyms

• appertain

Antonyms

• be irrelevant

Anagrams

• Painter, Parenti, apterin, painter, pine tar, repaint, terapin

Source: Wiktionary


Per*tain", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pertained; p. pr. & vb. n. Pertaining.] Etym: [OE. partenen, OF. partenir, fr. L. pertinere to stretch out, reach, pertain; per + tenere to hold, keep. See Per-, and Tenable, and cf. Appertain, Pertinent.]

1. To belong; to have connection with, or dependence on, something, as an appurtenance, attribute, etc.; to appertain; as, saltness pertains to the ocean; flowers pertain to plant life. Men hate those who affect that honor by ambition which pertaineth not to them. Hayward.

2. To have relation or reference to something. These words pertain unto us at this time as they pertained to them at their time. Latimer.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

30 May 2025

FOREHAND

(noun) (sports) a return made with the palm of the hand facing the direction of the stroke (as in tennis or badminton or squash)


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Coffee Trivia

Plain brewed coffee contains almost no calories, while coffee with dairy products, sugar, and other flavorings is much higher in calories. An espresso has 20 calories. A nonfat latte has 72, while a flavored one has 134.

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