Main Entry: ¹pas·to·ral

Pronunciation: \ˈpas-t(ə-)rəl\

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-)rə-lē\ adverb

— pas·to·ral·ness noun