adj. & n.
adj. 1 of, relating to, or associated with shepherds or flocks and herds. 2 (of land) used for pasture. 3 (of a poem, picture, etc.) portraying country life, usu. in a romantic or idealized form. 4 of or appropriate to a pastor.
n. 1 a pastoral poem, play, picture, etc. 2 a letter from a pastor (esp. a bishop) to the clergy or people. pastoral staff a bishop's crosier. pastoral theology that considering religious truth in relation to spiritual needs. pastoralism n. pastorality n. pastorally adv.
[ ME f. L pastoralis (as PASTOR) ]