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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Pertene, -tein(e, v. Also: par-, pair- and -teyn(e, -ten, -thene, -teene, -tean(e, -teigne, -teny-; -tain, -tayn, -tan(e; -tyn(e, -tin, -ting; -tenn-. [ME. and e.m.E. partene (c 1350), pertene, -teyne (c 1380), e.m.E. pertain (1532), OF. partenir (Norman subjunct. parteigne), L. pertinēre stretch, tend (to), belong (to).] To pertain.

1. intr. To belong (to (til(l) a person, also a community); to be under the tutelage of.

a. Of a person: As a relative, dependent, supporter, officer, fellow, etc.(1) ?1438 Alex. i. 2838.
Thame that may pertene to me Luke thow with thame na bargane ma 1415 Reg. Episc. Brechin. I. 36.
Justiciaris pertenand til our lord the King within ȝour bailȝery 1473–4 Treas. Acc. I. 5.
A man pertening to my Lord of Mar 1490 Irland Mir. I. 94/6.
For … he pertenit nocht to us na to oure natur 1531 Bell. Boece II. 469.
Howbeit this man pertenit na thing to thaim in blud nor kindnes 1562-3 Winȝet II. 68/6.
Quha euir pertenis to thair flok 1563 St. A. Kirk S. 186.
As also dowtis gyf the barne pertenis to hym quhilk sche hes consavit 1570 Misc. Bann. C. I. 45.
Ȝe mon haue respect to some grit housses that will neuer lat Ȝow come to honour … sic as Hammiltoun Lennox Argyle Huntlie that perteanis [Calderwood pretendis] to the crowne and vther men that hes over grit power in this cuntrie 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 69.
Suddainlie assembled hird and hyreman that perteinet to the band of the Kennedies — 1523 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 71.
Peter of Lipden … to nayne of the parteis pertenand suorn deponit that etc.] 1530 Ib. 108.
Robert Graham pertennand to nayne of the parteis(2) 1590 Burel Pilgr. ii. xxiv.
Quhidder to heuin or unto hell Thir persouns suld pertene 1691 Kirk Secr. Commonw. (1964) 412.
Or one that perteans to the house

b. Of a material thing: To belong to as a possession; to be the property of. Also fig.(1) 1390 Acts I. 216/2.
Of that at aucht of richt & of lauch perteigne til hir 1413 Frasers of Philorth II. 201.
Landis … wid the pertenance to me perteignand(b) 1452–3 Reg. Great S. 131/1.
All strenthis [etc.] … pertenande or langande to me 1455 Lennox Mun. 71.
That I sall nocht sell … landis pertenyng to me within the kinrik of Scotlande 1478–9 Acta Aud. 70/2. 1485 Lag Chart. 54.
The landis of the Camling to pertene to the said Robert … evermare in tyme to cum 1485–6 Prot. Bk. J. Young (S.R.S.) I. 8. 1489–90 Acta Conc. I. 124/1.
To quham the said spittale land pertenis 1493 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II. 214.
Perten 1508 Reg. Privy S. I. 255/1, etc.
Pertening to our soverane lord be resoun of eschete 1510 Lennox Mun. 189.
Perthenit 1519 Fife Sheriff Ct. 162.
The saidis landis … pertenit to the said Margrete in lifrent 1522 Acta Conc. MS. XXXIII. 48.
Sen the abbacy … pertenit to him be lettrez of commendatioun and laudatioun 1584 Fam. Innes 142.
Landis … pertening to him in fewferme and heretaig a1595 Descr. Isles 438.
Collonsa … pertenis to the laird thairof(c) 1551 Reg. Dunferm. I. 3.
The said Adam … awochit the said akyr … perteyning to hym 1596 Dalr. I. 163/1.
Amang al the countreyes perteyneng to the Pechtis 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Putagium. 1604 Stewart Mem. 110.
The heritabill propertie … perteinett … to … Patrek, Mester of Gray 1607 Melrose Reg. Rec. I. 33. 1621 Black Bk. Taymouth 370.
Auld men … to quhom the girssing of Auld Clascheta perteinis a1633 Hope Major Pract. II. 168.(d) 1557 Inverness Rec. I. 9.
That ane fald of land occupit be tham … pertening to the commones in commonte suld nocht perting to tham as properte(e) 1542 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 110.
In that cais his escheit … sould pertane [Balfour -tene] to the king(2) 14.. Acts I. 44/2.
Of thyngis pertenand to the burges ayre 1456 Hay I. 62/17.
That thai destroyit all that to the Romaynis pertenyt in that contree 1522–3 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 67. 1527 Carnwath Baron Ct. (S.H.S.) 69.
Al his mofabil gudis to pertene to hyme 1549 Soc. Ant. XI. 91.
Gif the geir … pertenit to Cathenes men [etc.] 1553 Sciennes Conv. lxxxi.
This buk pertenis to Sister Marione Crafurde 1558 Treas. Acc. X. 395.
The gudis … pertening to umquhile David Bischope of Ros 1567 Digest Justiciary Proc. F. 39.
Ane pair of hals beidis qwiche said pertenit to the Lady Bathcall 1576 Prot. Bk. W. Cumming MS. 169 b.
Wm. Anderson … left the hale gudis … pertenyng to hym … to his vyf 1614 Inverness Rec. II. 122.
Quhilk sword pertennit to the said vmquhill Robert 1637 Brechin Test. V. 225 b.
I beinge ane younge maid in ane chalmer my alone hes no guidis … pertening … to me 1685 in Hawick Arch. Soc. (1868) 34/1.
The timber of ane stair perteining to John Hart(b) 1583 Sc. Ant. I. 77.
Pertaynyng(c) 1635 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. VI. 5.
Perteane 1674 Melrose Reg. Rec. II. 394.
Ane kirk seatt … perteaneing to James Mein(d) 1568 Waus Corr. 40.
To delyuer … husald geyr pertinand to hyr 1641–8 Skipper's Acc. (Smettone) 10.
Now bein ledin with colles quhelk pertines to the oneres(e) 1679 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 276.
Pairtining(3) 1467 Reg. Dunferm. 359.
The auld stell pertening to [Dunfermline] 1471 Misc. Spald. C. V. 23. 1494 Stirling Chart. 54.
The fischings of the watter of Forth pertening to the toun and burgh of Striueling 1531 Reg. Soltre 108.
Off the teindis and deviteis pertening the kirk of Wemis 1556–7 Peebles B. Rec. I. 236.
All thing that pertenis to the tovn 1596 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 178.
Money … pertenyng to the puir leprois hospitall 1620 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 185.
Turreff … perteins to ane layk patronage to wit the erle of Erroll 1678 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 337.
Ane lang lether perteining to the good tounefig. c1520-c1535 Nisbet I. ii.
The kyngdomme of God partenis to yownge childer

Of various non-material things. c. Of an office, charge, right or privilege. d. Of a care or concern. e. spec. Of a legal issue, etc.: To come under the jurisdiction of. Also const. unto.c. 1417 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I. 215.
It is nocht our entent … til forgife ony thyng pertenande til the bischop and the kyrk of Aberden 1456 Hay I. 108/23.
For the taking of counsaile as langand the weris pertenis to the princis as sais the lawe civile 1536 Yester Wr. 159.
Considering the said office of sherefschip pertinet to him and his predecessouris heretably 1562-3 Winȝet I. 101/30.
Quhy committ ȝe to the saidis eldaris that office of the quhilk ȝe haif na pouer … the office of a ciuill magistrat quhilk pertenis only to an emperour or king c1575 Balfour Pract. 254.
The … ward of landis … pertening to natural fulis … sould pertene to the King a1578 Pitsc. I. 133/7.
Ane man of … singular ingyne to quhome … the croune lauchfullie pertenit Ib. 176/31.
Na thing was derogat frome him that pertenit to him be ressone of his autorietie 1615 Sciennes Conv. lxi.
Of the provest and baillies of Edinburgh to quhom the right of patronage perteanis 1641 Acts V. 562/2.
The seale of cause … conteaneing the priviledges … whilkis evir perteened of befoir to the saidis craftesd. 1375 Barb. xx. 313.
And all other thing That till him partenit ony vis … Or his furth-passyng ordanit he 1560 Rolland Seven S. 9756.
The porter said, Dois ȝour erand pertene To the empreour 1562–3 Crim. Trials I. 340.
The arme of theise infamous deidis twitchid bot a fewe … bot the example perteneit almost to all a1578 Pitsc. I. 35/27.
Our fame and honouris quhilkis mair pertenis to ws nor our liuese. 14.. Acts I. 34/2.
For sic falset pertenys to the Kyngis croune 14.. Reg. Maj. c. i.
The crime of thyft … pertenis to the scheref 1457–8 Acta Conc. II. xv.
All uthir causses pertenande to the knawlege of the saide lordis salbe [etc.] 1497 Ib. 85.
This mater … pertenis to the justice are 1513 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 22.
To geue thair deliverance in sa fer pertenes to thaim belangand to justice c1575 Balfour Pract. 417.
Sum civil actiounis pertene to the King's court or his justice 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Curia.
Vnto the ane perteinis … the temporall or secular jurisdiction a1633 Hope Major Pract. II. 10.

2. To form an adjunct to, or a part of, (a thing); to belong to as an accessory, appurtenance or the like.(1) 1394–5 Menzies Charters 10 Feb.
Wyt al the fredomys that to the forsayd landis partenys or may partene of tym to cum c 1400 Newbattle Chart. MS. (Reg. H.).
Asmentis pertenand to the said land 1428 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 460 (see Mayand pres. p.). 1476 Sc. Ant. XIII. 182.
Perten 1515 Edgerston Writs MS. (Reg. H.).
Dewtie & due seruice that to the saidis half land … pertaines 1535 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 124.
The mowter … and mois allegit to perteyne to the myll of Wester Kyngorn 1551 Reg. Cupar A. II. 70.
With all … rychtws pertinentis pertenyng or may pertene to the saidis landis ? 1605–19 Paisley B. Rec. 129.
All the dewties that perteins yeirlie to the haill altaris(b) 1395 Menzies Charters 10 Feb.
The landis of Cultyr … wyt al the fredomys that to the forsayd landis partenys or may partene(c) 1418–9 Liber Melros II. 502.
All the landis … with alle the profytis and the apportynance pertynand thar till or may pertyne in tyme to cvme(d) 1456–7 Peebles B. Rec. I. 116.
Pertennis(2) 1423 Edinb. Chart. 55.
Witht the landis housis and yardis pertenand to thir millis 14.. Reg. Maj. c. 48.
Of that toun or of that land the quhilk scho clamys to perten to hyr ressonable dowry 1507–8 Reg. Privy S. I. 232/1.
The coleheuch of Skeoch and landis pertenyn thairto 1515–6 Ib. 420/1.
The landis pertenyng to the chaplanry of Sanct Manachane 1531 Bell. Boece (M) II. 27.
Athelstane … allegeand the said landis to pertene to his empyre 1549 Corr. M. Lorraine 315.
Of the Ill of Cumray quhilk partenis to the rewenew of the castell a1586 Maitland Ho. Seytoun 57. 1567 Glasgow Prot. V. 99.
Tofting crofting and inland pertenyng to thair malyngis 1593 Dunferm. Ann. 242.
Quhilk is in ony manner of way perteined [sic in pr.] or may perteine to the Abbey(b) c 1500 Rec. Earld. Orkney 425.
Of all the landis of Scheitland and Frunlay lyand within the kinrik of Norway pertenyng to the Erledome of Orknay(3) 1641 Acts V. 500/2.
And all other fies etc.] … and liberties quhilkis … perteene to the saidis faires 1641 Peebles Chart. 104.
The … tolles customes [etc.] … quhilkis are knawin to pertein to the saides … mercatis(4) 14.. Burgh Laws c. 109 (B).
& the vthyr clathis pertenand to the bed 1494 Peebles B. Rec. I. 195.
Durris wyndos [etc.] … and al the irne and treyn wark … pertening to the said stipil 1524 Stirling B. Rec. I. 19.
All and syndry acsedant pertenyn to the said alter 1538 Treas. Acc. VII. 12.
The graith pertenyng to the said littecamp 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2304.
As ȝe ken mair graith pertenis the pleuch 1568 Edinb. Test. I. 182.
Ane hoising grayth with ane warpin fatt with the staikis and the ringis pertenand to thame 1581 Mar & Kellie MSS. 34.
The gros culvering … and haill iryne grayth mountit pertenning therto 1671 Orkney Rentals App. 64.
And all the timber-work pertaining to the bells

3. To be related to, or connected with, to be an adjunct of (a non-material thing).(1) c 1380 Charter (Reg. H.).
My chartyre … wyth al clavse & al fredome pertenand to blancheferme(2) 1456 Hay I. 122/22.
That he sall nocht be at his scathe of his justice na of othir thing that pertenis till his … honestee a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1104.
Ane wounder peralous poynt partenyng grete plight c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 42/6.
Of God and hevinlie thingis pertenand to the saluacon of the persone 1513 Doug. x. viii. 132.
With all solace pertenyng beryall Of tumbe and of entyrment 1533 Bell. Livy I. 295/19.
How beit the decisioun thareof pertenit to his awne auctorite c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 428.
Salyke sic pryde pertenis to trew teaching a1578 Pitsc. I. 237/19.
All necessar thingis pertening to thair nurischment that is to say meit drink [etc.] Ib. II. 125/7.
Quhan … all ceremonies war vsit perteining to the mariaige so the bryd and bryd grome [etc.]

b. To belong to as an attribute, fitting adjunct or duty.(1) 1375 Barb. xiii. 728 (C).
That quha so clamyt to haf richt To hald … land … suld … tharfor do To the king that pertenyt tharto 1490 Irland Mir. I. 74/4.
It [theology] pertenis mare to my crafft than to Chauceire 1494 Loutfut MS. 5 b.
Or ellis with resonable maner accord thaim as pertanys til gentilnes a1500 Bk. Chess 639.
All thing to do … That to knychthed of worschipe suld pertene 15.. Clar. i. 1142.
Clariodus … Was servit … with alkin thing That unto his estait was pertining 1596 Dalr. I. 291/28.
He schawis thame that to thair nobilitie … nathing to perteine mair than [etc.] 1619 Garden Elphinstoun 1700.
The cheefest praise It properlie pertenis And justlie suld be attribute Unto our prelat's painis(2) 1423 (1429–30) Reg. Great S. 30/2.
Al other thyng to do and use that to the office of chamerlanry and chancelery pertenys 1546 Lynd. Trag. Card. 366.
Mak hym byschope that prudentlie can preche As dois pertene tyll his vocatioun a1578 Pitsc. II. 124/9.
The herauldis … with thair coit airmes as perteined to thair office — 1470 Lennox Mun. 80.
All … thingis … that to the office of ane … assignay of lau or consuetude is knavin to partene 1492 Breadalbane P. No. 26. 1509 Reg. Privy S. I. 288/2. 1524 Montgomery Mem. 100. 1588 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 427.
All and sindrie thingis to do … that to the office of executorie datiue is knawin to pertene(3) 1463–4 Peebles B. Rec. I. 150.
Stedy bellys hammaris and al other thyngis that pertenis to the craft of blak smyth 1473–4 Treas. Acc. I. 65.
For tht makin of certane speris and ledin mellis and vthir stuf pertenyng to the makin of thaim 1631 Edinb. Test. LV. 32.
My haill worklumes perteining to my calling and craft of glaisinwright craft

c. With personal subject: (Not) to pertene to (a matter). ? not to be concerned or involved in. c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus ii. 64.
Howbeit that we thairto nathing pertene Scho is ane galland nobill lustie quene

4. To be fitting, proper or appropriate (to, also till a person or class of persons).Also, impers. or quasi-impers., const. (for) to and infin.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxvii. 1203.
Thai the seruice all had mad That to sic deide men suld parteyne 14.. Reg. Maj. c. 82.
That ȝe … do that to ȝow pertenis 1456 Hay II. 3/8.
The gude thewis … that pertenis to the knychtis Ib. 44/19.
Rycht as office of preste has certane thingis that pertenis to the ordre 1531 Bell. Boece II. 123.
That he micht nocht do the chargis pertenand to ane gud king Id. Livy I. 228/15.
Ane law in favoure of small pepill that all officis & digniteis pertenand to thame sall [etc.] 1535 Stewart 43003.
The quhilk bodie … With all honour pertenit to ane king Ingrauit wes 1571 Misc. Spald. C. II. 79.
Tua bellesis with all vthyr grayth pertening to ane smyth a1578 Pitsc. I. 400/26. 1581 Acts III. 235/1.
All honouris [etc.] … quhilkis pertenit … to ane lord of parliament(2) c1490 Porteous Noblenes 173/8 (Asl.).
And to him mast properlie it pertenis to haf in him werray hartlie luf [etc.] 1510 Reg. Privy S. I. 320/1.
That the said tennentis suld ansuere … to him sa far as pertenit to thaim to do under all pane and charge 1513 Doug. i. ii. 42.
Quhat thou desiris to thé it doith perteyn Forto devys 1533 Bell. Livy II. 66/13.
It pertenis to victouris to gif conditiouns as thai pleis to vincust pepill a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 137/21.
The kirk, to quhome it pertenis to tak ordour in misteryis pertenand our faith a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. clxxiv. 52.
Pertinis 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i. 39.
Because it perteins not to my court to cognosce vpon bastardrie, I [etc.](b) 1558-66 Knox I. 50.
Saying it perteanes nott to thy grace till intromett wyth sic materis

5. To have reference to (a matter); to be relevant, to relate to. 1533 Gau 9/27.
This command followis nixt effter the iii commandis pertenand to God 1551 Hamilton Cat. 26. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7953.
We may persaue sentences monyfald Pertening to wemens vnstabilnes 1562-3 Winȝet II. 36/15.
Bot this thing treulie to the mater of the quhilk we now talk pertenis nocht a 1567 Misc. Bann. C. II. 97.
Without superfluite of wordis nothyng partening to the propos 1588 King Cat. 58.
Christ … did and taucht mony thingis quhilk … pertein grytlie to vs 1641 Acts V. 415/1.

6. tr. or quasi-tr. To belong to, or be connected with, (a person).Perh. f. an earlier dative construction.Cf. late ME. (1472–3) and e.m.E. (1628), in similar use.(1) 1445 Reg. Episc. Morav. 219.
To … defende thaim [sc. lieges] in al rychtis [etc.] … pertenyng tham c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 1986.
The gudis tressour and riches And all thing that pertenit King Nicolas c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2406.
Quhy did ȝe gyf the … glore Pertenyng God … Tyil ymagis 1578 Reg. Privy C. II. 702.
The Kingis majesteis halkis … ar commonlie takin … vpoun misknawlege that thay pertene his majestie 1672 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 143.
The said defunct had pertaining her … tuentie pecks corne [etc.] 1673 Fam. Innes 247.
If yow … buld up thos monuments perteans yow(2) 1553 Misc. Maitl. C. I. 41 n.
I wyth all freindis pertening me 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6460.
Come the nixt knicht pertenit the empreour 1563 Breadalbane Lett.
I haif nay lytill marvell that ony pertenyng ȝour ll. suld haif done siclyke a1578 Pitsc. I. 83/1.
All men … partenand or favorand ane Douglas 1604 9th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. ii. 197/2.

b. To have to do with (a thing); to be connected with. — 1540 Lynd. Sat. 3354.
I gat gude payment of my … offrands With all that dois perteine my benefice c1552 Id. Mon. 1250.
I sall do my besye cure To tak the best … That moste pertenis my purpose — c1580-90 Rules of Health (Moray Mun.).
Ryse betymes in the morning and eftir all necessar effaris being done pertening the body … go furth

7. To befit (a person); to be suitable or appropriate for. Also const. infin.Also impers. or quasi-impers. Cf. 4 above. 1456 Hay I. 113 marg.
Quhat pertenis ane knycht to do Ib. II. 78/1.
Bot as of thingis that pertenis … to thyne estate and sik as pertenis thé to wit I sall schawe thé sufficiandly 1513 Doug. xii. i. 50.
Als far mair diligently pertenys me … to consell and provyde 1536 Lynd. Answ. Flyting 22.
With my prince pertenit me nocht to pley 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 231.
With my lord governour accompaniit as pertenit me 15.. Clar. iv. 435.
All that hir pertinit for to weir … Was wrocht with stone