n.
Pronunciation: ' pas-t( ə -)r ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin pastoralis, from pastor herdsman
Date: 15th century
1 a (1) : of, relating to, or composed of shepherds or herdsmen (2) : devoted to or based on livestock raising b : of or relating to the countryside : not urban <a pastoral setting> c : portraying or expressive of the life of shepherds or country people especially in an idealized and conventionalized manner < pastoral poetry> d : pleasingly peaceful and innocent : IDYLLIC
2 a : of or relating to spiritual care or guidance especially of a congregation b : of or relating to the pastor of a church
– pas · to · ral · ly \ -t( ə -)r ə -l ē \ adverb
– pas · to · ral · ness noun