Relating to rural life and scenes, in particular of poetry.
Relating to the care of souls, to the pastor of a church or to any local religious leader charged with the service of individual parishioners, i.e. a priest or rabbi.
Noun
A poem describing the life and manners of shepherds; a poem in which the speakers assume the character of shepherds; an idyll; a bucolic.
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.
A letter of a pastor to his charge; specifically, a letter addressed by a bishop to his diocese.
A letter of the House of Bishops, to be read in each parish.
Origin
From Middle French, Old French pastoral, from Latin pastoralis, from pāstor, + adjective suffix -alis.
Modern English dictionary
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