Crossword Genius

Pertain to delay (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

belong

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

This might be a double definition.

'pertain' is the first definition.
(I know this)

'delay' is the second definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with fundamental existence as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for belong that I've seen before include "Appertain" , "'Be part of, fit in (6)'" , "Be correctly assigned" , "Be attached" , "Be member of, classified with" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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