pasˈtoral adjective

1. Relating to, depicting or evoking rural life, the countryside, etc, esp orig shepherds or shepherd life
2. Of the nature of pastureland
3. Of or relating to the pastor of a church and his or her obligations to the congregation
4. Addressed to the clergy of a diocese by their bishop
5. Relating to care and advice given by teachers to pupils beyond the basic teaching of their subject

1. A poem, play, romance, opera, piece of music, or picture depicting the life of (usu idealized or conventionalized) shepherds, or rural life in general
2. Such writing as a genre
3. A pastoral letter
4. A book on the care of souls
5. A pastoral staff

pastorale /pas-tə-rälˈ or päs-to-räˈlā/ noun (pl pastoraˈles or pastoraˈli /-lē/) (Italy)

1. A pastoral composition in music
2. A pastoral, rustic, or idyllic opera or cantata

pasˈtoralism noun

1. A way of life characterized by keeping sheep, cattle or other grazing animals
2. Pastoral character, fashion, cult or mode of writing

pasˈtoralist noun

pasˈtorally adverb

pasˈtorate noun

1. The office of a pastor
2. A pastor's tenure of office
3. A body of pastors

pasˈtorly adjective

Suitable for a pastor

pasˈtorship noun

pastoral address or pastoral letter noun

An address or a letter by a pastor to his people, or by a bishop to his clergy

pastoral charge noun

1. Position of a pastor
2. The church, etc, over which a pastor is placed
3. An address to a newly ordained minister

pastoral epistles plural noun

Those in the Bible to Timothy and Titus

pastoral staff noun

A crosier, a tall staff forming part of a bishop's insignia, headed like a shepherd's crook

pastoral theology noun

That part of theology which deals with the duties of pastors in relation to the care of souls