PASTORAL Meaning and
Definition
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Pastoral, as an adjective, refers to anything related to the countryside or rural life, specifically to the lifestyle, scenery, or activities associated with it. It often evokes a sense of simplicity, tranquility, and natural beauty found in rural areas.
In literature or art, the term "pastoral" describes a genre that idealizes and romanticizes the rural landscape and pastoral lifestyle. Common themes include shepherds, farm life, and the simplicity and peacefulness of nature. Pastoral works often aim to convey a nostalgic longing for a simpler way of life, away from the fast-paced urban civilization.
As a noun, pastoral refers to a literary or musical composition characterized by themes and imagery of rural life. Pastoral music typically uses instruments associated with rural settings, such as flutes or strings, and may incorporate melodies imitating the sounds of nature. Examples of pastoral literature include Virgil's "Eclogues" and Christopher Marlowe's "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love."
In a broader sense, pastoral can also refer to the role or literature associated with clergy members, especially a pastor, who guide and care for a religious community. This usage often denotes their responsibility for the spiritual welfare of their congregants and their role as spiritual leaders in a community. It can also encompass the teachings, writings, or sermons related to pastoral care and guidance within a religious context.
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• Pert. to shepherds; pert. to the care of a flock or a church; addressed to the clergy of a diocese by its bishop; rustic; rural.
• A sort of dramatic poem on the incidents of a country life; a bishop's pastoral letter, or that of an ecclesiastical court, addressed to both clergy and people.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for PASTORAL *
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Other Common Misspellings for PASTORAL
Etymology of PASTORAL
The word "pastoral" comes from the Latin word "pastoralis", which is derived from "pastor", meaning "shepherd". In Latin, "pastor" referred to the person who looked after sheep in rural areas. This term was later adopted into other languages, including English, to refer to anything related to the countryside or rural life. The adjective "pastoral" is used to describe a literary or artistic work that portrays or evokes the peaceful and idyllic qualities of rural life, often focusing on shepherds or simple agricultural settings.
Similar spelling words for PASTORAL
- pastor,
- pastrami,
- pastorius,
- pastorale,
- pastern,
- pastureland,
- pastore,
- pasteur,
- pasternak,
- paster,
- pasture,
- pastrana,
- pastorate,
- pastry,
- pastorship.
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