pastoral

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. 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 ]

‖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 ]