Podcast Summary: Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Episode Title: pertain
Host: Merriam-Webster
Release Date: February 17, 2025

Introduction to "Pertain"

In this episode of Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day, the host Peter Sokolowski delves into the intricacies of the verb "pertain." Listeners are guided through its pronunciation, meaning, usage, and etymological roots, providing a comprehensive understanding of the word.

Definition and Usage

Peter begins by defining "pertain" and illustrating its use in a real-world context:

"To pertain to someone or something is to relate, refer, or have a connection to that person or thing."
— Peter Sokolowski (00:41)

He further reinforces this definition with an example from literature:

"There are certain rules of conduct that pertain to office dressing, no matter how lax your HR department may be."
— Example from "The Cut" by Amelia Madden (00:58)

Etymology and Linguistic Roots

The episode takes a deep dive into the origins of "pertain," tracing its journey from Latin to modern English:

"The word pertain comes to English via Anglo French from the Latin verb 'pertinere,' meaning to reach to or to belong."
— Peter Sokolowski (01:15)

He breaks down the Latin components:

• "Per" meaning "through"
• "Tenere" meaning "to hold"

This combination underscores the essence of something that holds through or is connected.

Related Words and Linguistic Patterns

Peter explores the prevalence of the root "tenere" in English, highlighting its manifestation as "tain" in various derivatives:

"Tinere is a popular root in English words and often manifests with the Tain spelling that can be seen in pertain."
— Peter Sokolowski (01:45)

He lists several related words, emphasizing the common thread of holding or maintaining:

• Abstain
• Contain
• Detain
• Maintain
• Obtain
• Retain
• Sustain

Peter also points out the exceptions to this pattern:

"Not every Tain word has tenere in its ancestry, though ascertain, attain, and certain are certainly exceptions."
— Peter Sokolowski (02:00)

Additionally, he notes words with the "tenere" root that deviate from the typical pattern:

"A few tenere words don't follow the usual pattern, including tenacious and tenure."
— Peter Sokolowski (02:05)

Conclusion and Host Sign-Off

Wrapping up the episode, Peter reiterates the significance of understanding word roots to enhance vocabulary and comprehension:

"With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski."
— Peter Sokolowski (02:10)

Additional Resources

For listeners seeking to expand their vocabulary further, the episode concludes with a reminder to visit Merriam-Webster's website:

"Visit merriamwebster.com today for definitions, wordplay and trending word lookups."
— Merriam-Webster Representative (02:11)

This episode not only elucidates the meaning and usage of "pertain" but also enriches listeners' understanding of its linguistic roots and connections to other English words. By dissecting its etymology and related terms, Peter Sokolowski provides a thorough exploration that benefits both casual learners and language enthusiasts.