pastoral

pastoral [pas′tərəl, päs′tərəl]

adj.

[ME pastoralle < L pastoralis < pastor, a shepherd: see PASTOR]

1. of shepherds or their work, way of life, etc.

2. of or portraying rural life or, formerly, a highly conventionalized form of rustic life among shepherds, usually in an idealized way

3. of pastoral literature or a pastoral

4. characteristic of rural life, idealized as peaceful, simple, and natural

5. of or relating to a pastor

n.

1. a piece of literature dealing, usually in an idealized way, with rural life; formerly, specif., a poem, play, etc. treating the rustic lives and loves of shepherds in a conventionalized, artificial manner

2. such writing as a literary form

3. a pastoral picture or scene

4. an official letter or document, as on doctrine or religious observance, issued by a bishop or group of bishops to persons within their jurisdiction

5. Music PASTORALE

SYN.- RURAL

pastoralism

n.

pastorally

adv.