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DictionarypastoralRural life
adjective / noun

pastoral

Relating to country life, especially shepherds' lives.

A shepherd tends a small flock in a pastoral landscape.

A shepherd tending a small flock in open pasture, making the rural-life and shepherd branches of the meaning concrete.
Etymology
pastorLatinshepherd
+alEnglishrelating to

The Latin source means shepherd. Pastoral describes shepherds' lives and, more broadly, the rural settings and activities associated with them.

In context

wikipedia tts10:28
a superintendent minister who has pastoral charge of all the circuit churches
Diocese | Wikipedia audio article

More examples

  • The novel contrasts pastoral life with the bustle of the city.
  • Her pastoral depicts country life as simple and peaceful.
  • We read two pastorals about shepherds and their flocks.

Forms

pastoral · pastorals

Similar words

rural
Describes country areas without suggesting shepherds or idealized simplicity.
rustic
Emphasizes simple country character, often rough or unrefined.
bucolic
Suggests an idyllic countryside, especially fields, flocks, and shepherds.