appurtenance
|ap-pur-te-nance|
🇺🇸
/əˈpɝːtənəns/
🇬🇧
/əˈpɜːtənəns/
something belonging to a larger thing
Etymology
'appurtenance' originates from Latin, specifically from elements related to 'ad' + 'pertinere' (to pertain), where 'ad-' meant 'to/toward' and 'pertinere' meant 'to relate or pertain.'
'appurtenance' passed into Old French/Anglo-French (forms such as 'apartenance'/'appurtenance') from Latin roots and was adopted into Middle English as 'appurtenance'.
Initially it meant 'that which pertains to or belongs to something'; over time this general sense narrowed in English to refer especially to an accessory, adjunct, or a subordinate right/property associated with a principal item.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
something that belongs to or is subordinate to a more important thing; an accessory or adjunct.
The small shed behind the house is considered an appurtenance of the property.
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Noun 2
in law, a right, privilege, or improvement that is incident to and belongs to the principal property (e.g., easements that 'run with the land').
Easements for access are appurtenances that typically pass with the sale of the land.
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Last updated: 2025/09/28 04:53