Appertain Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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appertain

[หŒรฆpษ™rหˆteษชn ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

association, relevance

To appertain means to belong or be connected as a rightful part or attribute. It typically indicates a relationship or association with something specific.

Synonyms

apply, belong, pertain, relate.

Examples of usage

  • The rights of the land appertain to the original owners.
  • This obligation does not appertain to the new regulations.
  • Responsibilities that appertain to your role include managing the team.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Law

  • In legal contexts, 'appertain' is often used to define rights or privileges that are held by an individual or entity.
  • Property laws frequently involve terms like 'appertain' to discuss what rights belong to owners regarding their land.
  • The word signifies the relationship between different parties and their interests in legal documents.

Literature

  • Authors use 'appertain' to enhance storytelling, highlighting how characters or themes are interconnected.
  • In classic literature, it often appears in discussions of identity, ownership, or familial ties, deepening the narrative.
  • Famous works, including Shakespeare's plays, reflect relationships and belongings through such terms.

Philosophy

  • Philosophical discussions on existence frequently involve the concept of belonging and the essence of what appertains to beings.
  • It raises questions about the nature of rights, responsibilities, and what it means to truly 'belong.'
  • In ethics, the term comes up when discussing moral obligations and how they appertain to individuals within a society.

Everyday Use

  • 'Appertain' is often used in formal writing and discussions, such as in academic papers or discussions about responsibilities.
  • In workplaces, it may refer to tasks that are related to a specific role or position, clarifying responsibilities.
  • People might use the word to specify connections between various aspects of projects, indicating what belongs where.

Origin of 'appertain'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'appertain' comes from the Old French word 'apartenir,' which means 'to belong to.'
  • It was derived from the Latin word 'ad' meaning 'to' and 'partire' meaning 'to share or divide.'
  • First recorded use in English dates back to the 14th century, showing its long-standing presence in the language.

The word 'appertain' comes from the Middle French 'apertenir', which itself comes from the Latin 'appertinere'. The Latin term consists of the prefix 'ad-' meaning 'to' or 'toward', and 'pertinere', which means 'to belong to' or 'to relate to'. Over time, the meaning evolved to encompass the idea of something that is integral or essential to another entity. The use of 'appertain' has remained relatively stable, referring often to legal and formal contexts where relationships or associations are critical. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation, but retains formal use in literature and legal documents, indicating its longstanding presence in the English lexicon.


Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,008, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.