Definition of: pastoral

(pas′tər·əl, päs′-) adjective
1. Pertaining to the life of shepherds and rustics; rural in spirit or sentiments: a pastoral poem.
2. Pertaining to a pastor and his work. See synonyms under RUSTIC.
—noun
1. A poem dealing with rural matters; a bucolic; an idyl.
2. A picture illustrating rural scenes.
3. Eccl. A letter from a pastor to his flock.
4. A simple melody in 6/8 time in a rustic style; also, a complete symphony portraying a series of pastoral scenes.
5. A book or treatise on the cure of souls.
6. plural The pastoral epistles.
7. A crozier or pastoral staff. [<L pastoralis <pastor. See PASTOR.]
—pas′tor·al·ism noun