Definition of belong to

The origin of the phrase "belong to" can be traced back to Old English, specifically the preposition "beon" and the Old English word "lagu," meaning "place" or "privilege." In Old English, the phrase was literally "beon at lageben," which translates to "be at a place" or "have a position in a place." Over time, the meaning of the phrase evolved to reflect the idea of ownership. This transformation can be seen in Middle English, where the phrase became "beon with" or "beon of." These terms were used in a variety of contexts, from describing ownership of property to relationships between people. In Early Modern English, the meaning of the phrase became more specific, and "belong to" began to take on its modern meaning. The phrase was primarily used to describe the relationship between a person and an object, such as when a person owned or possessed something. Interestingly, the word "belong" used in this context has an unusual history. The verb "belong" developed from an Old Norse word "behr" meaning "fall to," which was used to describe how things naturally came to belong to someone. Over time, this meaning morphed into the current definition, which connotes a sense of connection or affiliation rather than just a passive falling into place. Today, the phrase "belong to" is used in a variety of contexts, from describing the ownership of physical objects to identifying memberships in social groups or organizations. Its evolution reflects the way our understanding of ownership and belonging has changed over time, from a more passive sense of position to a more active and significant relationship.