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pertineo

Etymology and origin of the Latin word pertineo

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Plautus
Ultimate origin
Latin (teneō)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [pɛrˈtɪ.ne.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [perˈtiː.ne.o][1]

Forms

pertineō (present infinitive pertinēre, perfect active pertinuī); second conjugation, no passive, no supine stem[1]

Etymology

It is from per- “through” and teneō “to hold”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of relating to something.[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

In Cicero it meant to extend, reach, of physical features, of actions to be aimed at something, and of words to refer to someone.[2] From Plautus it meant to relate to, have to do with, and in Varro to be someone's concern and to come within the scope of a law.[2] In Cicero it meant to belong by right to someone.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to reach, belong, pertain, relate.[5] It survives in Spanish pertenecer and Portuguese pertencer “to belong”, and through Old French it gave English pertain in the early 14th century.[1][3]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of relating to.[2][4]
  • 116–27 BC – Varro uses it of concern.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of extending and belonging.[2][4]
  • early 14th century – English pertain is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To extend, reach.[2]
  2. To be aimed at; to refer to.[2]
  3. To relate to, pertain to.[2]
  4. To be the concern of.[2]
  5. To belong to.[2]
  6. To come within the scope of.[2]

Word family

  • appertineō
  • impertinēns
  • pertināx
  • pertinenter

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
Cite this entry

“Pertineo.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/pertineo. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·