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.
      
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   2. Relating to the care of souls, or to the pastor of a
      church; as, pastoral duties; a pastoral letter.
      
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   {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.
      
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Pastoral \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.
      
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            A pastoral is a poem in which any action or passion
            is represented by its effects on a country life.
                                                  --Rambler.
      
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   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).
      
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   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.
      
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