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pectoral. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
pectoral, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
pectoral in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
pectoral you have here. The definition of the word
pectoral will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
pectoral, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
All senses are ultimately from Latin pectorālis, but some may have come through Old French and Middle English.
Pronunciation
Adjective
pectoral (not comparable)
- Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest.
the pectoral muscles
1985, Stephen Marley, Managra, page 14:Clad in red robes and a gold pectoral cross, Agostini finally lowered his gaze as he crossed the marble floor.
1986, John le Carré, A Perfect Spy:... footballers, fashionable Counsel, corrupt parliamentarians, glistening Under Secretaries from helpful Whitehall Ministries, Greek shipowners, cockney hairdressers, unlisted maharajahs, drunk magistrates, venal mayors, ruling princes of countries that have ceased to exist, prelates in suède boots and pectoral crosses...
- 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.
- (zoology) Having the breast conspicuously colored.
the pectoral sandpiper
Derived terms
Translations
of or pertaining to the breast or chest
Noun
pectoral (plural pectorals)
- A pectoral fin.
- Protective armor for a horse's breast.
- Synonym: poitrel
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.
- A covering or protection for the breast.
- A breastplate, especially that worn by the Jewish high priest.
- (ecclesiastical) A clasp, cross, or ornamental square of cloth etc. worn upon the breast.
- (historical) An ancient Egyptian item of jewelry worn upon the chest, often part of (or constituting) a necklace or collar.
- A medicine for diseases of the chest organs, especially the lungs.
Derived terms
See also
Anagrams
Catalan
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin pectorālis. Doublet of pitral.
Pronunciation
Adjective
pectoral m or f (masculine and feminine plural pectorals)
- (relational) breast, chest; pectoral
Further reading
French
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin pectorālis. Doublet of poitrail.
Pronunciation
Noun
pectoral m (plural pectoraux)
- (anatomy) pectoral
Adjective
pectoral (feminine pectorale, masculine plural pectoraux, feminine plural pectorales)
- (anatomy) pectoral
Derived terms
Further reading
Romanian
Etymology
Borrowed from French pectoral, from Latin pectoralis.
Adjective
pectoral m or n (feminine singular pectorală, masculine plural pectorali, feminine and neuter plural pectorale)
- pectoral
Declension
Spanish
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin pectorālis. Doublet of the inherited petral and pretal.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /peɡtoˈɾal/
- Rhymes: -al
- Syllabification: pec‧to‧ral
Adjective
pectoral m or f (masculine and feminine plural pectorales)
- pectoral (of or relating to the breast or chest)
Derived terms
Related terms
Further reading