1. (a.) Pertaining to shepherds; relating to rural life and scenes; as, a pastoral life.

2. (a.) Relating to the care of souls, or to the pastor of a church; as, pastoral duties; a pastoral letter.

3. (n.) A poem describing the life and manners of shepherds; a poem in which the speakers assume the character of shepherds; a bucolic.

4. (n.) 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.

5. (n.) 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.