Pastoral

Pronunciation

• enPR: păs"tōr-al, IPA: /ËŒpæsˈtɔːɹəl/
• IPA: /ˈpæs.tÉ™.ɹəl/

Origin

Latin pastoralis, from pāstor ("shepherd"), + adjective suffix -alis.

Full definition of pastoral

Adjective

1. Of or pertaining to shepherds; hence, relating to rural life and scenes; as, a pastoral life.
• He wanders west as far as Memphis, a solitary migrant upon that flat and pastoral landscape. - 1985 Cormac McCarthy, , chapter
• ... these pastoral farms,/Green to the very door; and wreaths of smoke
  Sent up, in silence, from among the trees! - 1798 William Wordsworth, , lines 16-18.
2. Relating to the care of souls, or to the pastor of a church.pastoral duties; a pastoral letter

Derived terms

Noun

1. A poem describing the life and manners of shepherds; a poem in which the speakers assume the character of shepherds; an idyll; a bucolic.
2. (music) A cantata relating to rural life; a composition for instruments characterized by simplicity and sweetness; a lyrical composition the subject of which is taken from rural life. Moore
3. (religion, Christianity) A letter of a pastor to his charge; specifically, a letter addressed by a bishop to his diocese.
4. (religion, Christianity) A letter of the House of Bishops, to be read in each parish.