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ap·per·tain

(ăp′ər-tān)

intr.v. ap·per·tained, ap·per·tain·ing, ap·per·tains

To belong as a proper function or part; pertain: problems appertaining to social reform.

[Middle English appertenen, from Old French apartenir, from Vulgar Latin *appartenēre, from Late Latin appertinēre : ad-, ad- + pertinēre, to belong; see PERTAIN.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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