pə(r)ˈtān intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English parteinen, partenen, perteinen, pertenen, from Middle French partenir, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin partenēre, alteration of Latin pertinēre to reach to, belong, from per-, intensive prefix + -tinēre (from tenēre to hold) — more at per- , thin
1.
a.
(1) : to belong to something as a part or member or accessory or product
those who pertained to the Christian tradition — J.D.Conway
(2) : to belong to something as an attribute or adjunct or attendant feature or function
the destruction and havoc pertaining to war
a job that pertains to one man alone
(3) : to belong to something as a care or concern or duty
responsibilities that pertain to fatherhood
(4) : to belong to something by inherent character, right, assignment, or established association
privileges that pertained only to the wealthier class
b. : to be appropriate to something : be right or proper or suitable
trades pertaining to military activities — American Guide Series: Minnesota
: be pertinent
the criteria for their appointments will be different from those that pertain elsewhere in the faculty — J.B.Conant
2. : to have some connection with or relation to something : have reference : relate
in matters pertaining to man and his environment — Current Biography
his intention to translate some historical documents pertaining to Christopher Columbus — Saxe Commins
the enormous stress which women lay on everything pertaining to clothes — P.M.Gregory