pastoral Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a musical composition that evokes rural life
    pastorale; idyll; idyl.
  2. noun a letter from a pastor to the congregation
  3. noun a literary work idealizing the rural life (especially the life of shepherds)
  4. adjective of or relating to a pastor
    • pastoral work
    • a pastoral letter
  5. adjective relating to shepherds or herdsmen or devoted to raising sheep or cattle
    bucolic.
    • pastoral seminomadic people
    • pastoral land
    • a pastoral economy
  6. adjective satellite (used with regard to idealized country life) idyllically rustic
    bucolic; arcadian.
    • a country life of arcadian contentment
    • a pleasant bucolic scene
    • charming in its pastoral setting
    • rustic tranquility

WordNet


Pas"tor*al adjective
Etymology
L. pastoralis: cf. F. pastoral. See Pastor.
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to shepherds; hence, relating to rural life and scenes; as, a pastoral life.
  2. Relating to the care of souls, or to the pastor of a church; as, pastoral duties; a pastoral letter.
Pas"tor*al noun
Definitions
  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.
    A pastoral is a poem in which any action or passion is represented by its effects on a country life. Rambler.
  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).
  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.

Webster 1913