| Pastoral | a. [ L. pastoralis: cf. F. pastoral. See Pastor. ] 1. Of or pertaining to shepherds; hence, relating to rural life and scenes; as, a pastoral life. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Relating to the care of souls, or to the pastor of a church; as, pastoral duties; a pastoral letter. [ 1913 Webster ]
Pastoral staff (Eccl.), a staff, usually of the form of a shepherd's crook, borne as an official emblem by a bishop, abbot, abbess, or other prelate privileged to carry it. See Crook, and Crosier. --
Pastoral Theology, that part of theology which treats of the duties of pastors. [ 1913 Webster ]
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| Pastoral | n. 1. A poem describing the life and manners of shepherds; a poem in which the speakers assume the character of shepherds; an idyl; a bucolic. [ 1913 Webster ] A pastoral is a poem in which any action or passion is represented by its effects on a country life. Rambler. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (Mus.) 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 (Encyc. of Music). [ 1913 Webster ] 3. (Eccl.) A letter of a pastor to his charge; specifically, a letter addressed by a bishop to his diocese; also (Prot. Epis. Ch.), a letter of the House of Bishops, to be read in each parish. [ 1913 Webster ] |
