n. [ L., fr. pascere, pastum, to pasture, to feed. Cf. Pabulum, Pasture, Food. ] 1. A shepherd; one who has the care of flocks and herds. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A guardian; a keeper; specifically (Eccl.), a minister having the charge of a church and parish. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) A species of starling (Pastor roseus), native of the plains of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Its head is crested and glossy greenish black, and its back is rosy. It feeds largely upon locusts. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office, jurisdiction, or duty, of a pastor; pastorate. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A poem describing the life and manners of shepherds; a poem in which the speakers assume the character of shepherds; an idyl; a bucolic. [ 1913 Webster ]

A pastoral is a poem in which any action or passion is represented by its effects on a country life. Rambler. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mus.) A cantata relating to rural life; a composition for instruments characterized by simplicity and sweetness; a lyrical composition the subject of which is taken from rural life. Moore (Encyc. of Music). [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Eccl.) A letter of a pastor to his charge; specifically, a letter addressed by a bishop to his diocese; also (Prot. Epis. Ch.), a letter of the House of Bishops, to be read in each parish. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. pastoralis: cf. F. pastoral. See Pastor. ] 1. Of or pertaining to shepherds; hence, relating to rural life and scenes; as, a pastoral life. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Relating to the care of souls, or to the pastor of a church; as, pastoral duties; a pastoral letter. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pastoral staff (Eccl.), a staff, usually of the form of a shepherd's crook, borne as an official emblem by a bishop, abbot, abbess, or other prelate privileged to carry it. See Crook, and Crosier. --
Pastoral Theology, that part of theology which treats of the duties of pastors. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ It. ] 1. (Mus.) A composition in a soft, rural style, generally in 6-8 or 12-8 time. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A kind of dance; a kind of figure used in a dance. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In a pastoral or rural manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In the manner of a pastor. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. pastorat. See Pastor. ] The office, state, or jurisdiction of a pastor. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Pastor; cf. Auditorium. ] A parsonage; -- so called in some Baptist churches. [ Southern U. S. ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. Having no pastor. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An insignificant pastor. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]