Which suffix does not mean 'pertaining to'?

• A. -an
• B. -ar
• C. -ary
• D. -ic

Answer: (A)

In medical terminology, many adjectival endings convey relationship to a body part or system. Suffixes like -ic, -ar, and -ary are standard for forming words that mean “pertaining to” (for example, gastric relates to the stomach; vascular relates to vessels; pulmonary relates to the lungs). The ending -an is not used in the same consistent way to express that sense. It more often marks belonging to or originating from something, or forms words for people or things associated with something (outside the strict medical “pertaining to” sense). Therefore, -an is the suffix that does not primarily mean “pertaining to.”