Pas"tor*al (?), 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.
2. Relating to the care of souls, or to the
pastor of a church; as, pastoral duties; a pastoral
letter.
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.
Pas"tor*al (?), 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.
A pastoral is a poem in which any action or
passion is represented by its effects on a country life.
Rambler.
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).
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.