I. ˈpas-t(ə-)rəl 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-)rə-lē adverb
• pas·to·ral·ness noun
II. ˈpas-t(ə-)rəl; 1d is often ˌpas-tə-ˈräl, -ˈral noun
Date: 1584
1.
a. : a literary work (as a poem or play) dealing with shepherds or rural life in a usually artificial manner and typically drawing a contrast between the innocence and serenity of the simple life and the misery and corruption of city and especially court life
b. : pastoral poetry or drama
c. : a rural picture or scene
d. : pastorale 1a
2. : crosier 1
3. : a letter of a pastor to his charge: as
a. : a letter addressed by a bishop to his diocese
b. : a letter of the house of bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church to be read in each parish