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Webster 1913 Edition

Pectoral

Pec′to-ral

(pĕk′tō̍-ral)
,
Adj.
[L.
pectoralis
, fr.
pectus
,
-oris
the breast; cf. F.
pectoral
.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest;
as, the
pectoral
muscles
.
2.
Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or lungs;
as, a
pectoral
remedy
.
3.
(Zool.)
Having the breast conspicuously colored;
as, the
pectoral
sandpiper
.
Pectoral arch
, or
Pectoral girdle
(Anat.)
,
the two or more bony or cartilaginous pieces of the vertebrate skeleton to which the fore limbs are articulated; the shoulder girdle. In man it consists of two bones, the scapula and clavicle, on each side.
–
Pectoral cross
(Eccl.)
,
a cross worn on the breast by bishops and abbots, and sometimes also by canons.
–
Pectoral fins
, or
Pectorals
(Zool.)
,
fins situated on the sides, behind the gills. See Illust. under
Fin
.
–
Pectoral rail
.
(Zool.)
See
Land rail
(b)
under
Land
.
–
Pectoral sandpiper
(Zool.)
,
the jacksnipe
(b)
.

Pec′to-ral

,
Noun.
[L.
pectorale
a breastplate, neut. of
pectoralis
.]
1.
A covering or protecting for the breast.
2.
(Eccl.)
(a)
A breastplate, esp. that worn by the Jewish high person.
(b)
A clasp or a cross worn on the breast.
3.
A medicine for diseases of the chest organs, especially the lungs.

Webster 1828 Edition

Pectoral

PEC'TORAL

,
Adj.
[L. pectoralis, from pectus, breast.]
Pertaining to the breast; as the pectoral muscles; pectoral medicines.
The pectoral fins of a fish are situated on the sides of the fish, behind the gills.

PEC'TORAL

,
Noun.
A breastplate.
1.
A sacerdotal habit or vestment worn by the Jewish high priest, called in our version of the Bible, a breastplate.
2.
A medicine adapted to cure or relieve complaints of the breast and lungs.

Definition 2024

pectoral

pectoral

English

Adjective

pectoral ‎(not comparable)

  1. Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest; as, the pectoral muscles.
    • 1985, Stephen Marley, Managra, p 14:
      Clad in red robes and a gold pectoral cross, Agostini finally lowered his gaze as he crossed the marble floor.
  2. Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or lungs.
    • 1852, Theophilus Thompson, Annals of Influenza Or Epidemic Catarrhal Fever in Great Britain from 1510 to 1837 (page 107)
      But, in general, a few days' confinement, abstinence from flesh meat, and frequent sippings of some tepid pectoral drink, sufficed for the cure.
  3. (zoology) Having the breast conspicuously colored.
    the pectoral sandpiper

Translations

Noun

pectoral ‎(plural pectorals)

  1. Protective armor for a horse's breast.
    • 1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 30:
      The Poitrinal, Pectoral, or Breast Plate was formed of plates of metal rivetted together, which covered the breast and shoulders of the horse, it was commonly adorned with foliage, or other ornaments engraved or embossed.
  2. A covering or protecting for the breast.
  3. (ecclesiastical) A breastplate, especially that worn by the Jewish high person.
  4. (ecclesiastical) A clasp or a cross worn on the breast.
  5. A medicine for diseases of the chest organs, especially the lungs.

Derived terms

See also

Spanish

Etymology

From Latin pectorālis.

Adjective

pectoral m, f ‎(plural pectorales)

  1. pectoral

Etymology

From Latin pectorālis.

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