pertain
pertain Lexical Profile
pertain Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To have reference, relation, or relevance to something (usually followed by 'to').
"The committee reviewed all the documents that pertain to the upcoming budget proposal."
To belong to something as a part, appendage, attribute, or right (usually followed by 'to').
"The ancient manor house was sold along with all the lands and privileges that pertain to the estate."
To be appropriate, fitting, or characteristic of a particular situation, role, or period (usually followed by 'to').
"He struggled to adjust to the formal duties and customs that pertain to high diplomatic office."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Pertain' is strictly an intransitive verb and must be followed by the preposition 'to' when introducing an object (e.g., 'rules that pertain to safety').
• Rhymes for pertain
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English pertaynen, borrowed from Old French partenir, from Latin pertinēre ('to reach to, belong to, relate to'), formed from per- ('through') and tenēre ('to hold').