Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PER'TI-NENT, a. [L. pertinens.]

1. Related to the subject or matter in hand; just to the purpose; adapted to the end proposed; apposite; not foreign to the thing intended. We say, he used an argument not pertinent to his subject or design. The discourse abounds with pertinent remarks. He gave pertinent answers to the questions.
2. Regarding; concerning; belonging. [Little used.] – Hooker.