Dictionary-Definition.com :: Pertain definition

Definition of 'pertain'

verb

Be relevant to; "There were lots of questions referring to her talk"; "My remark pertained to your earlier comments" [syn: refer, pertain, relate, concern, come to, bear on, touch, touch on, have-to doe with]

verb

Be a part or attribute of [syn: pertain, appertain]

From: GCIDE

Pertain \Per*tain"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pertained; p. pr. & vb. n. Pertaining.] [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. [1913 Webster]
Men hate those who affect that honor by ambition which pertaineth not to them. --Hayward. [1913 Webster]
2. To have relation or reference to something. [1913 Webster]
These words pertain unto us at this time as they pertained to them at their time. --Latimer. [1913 Webster]