Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Pastoral \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.