Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Pectoral?

\Pec"to*ral\, a. [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. (Zo["o]l.) 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. {Pectorial cross} (Eccl.), a cross worn on the breast by bishops and abbots, and sometimes also by canons. {Pectorial} fins, or {Pectorials} (Zo["o]l.), fins situated on the sides, behind the gills. See Illust. under {Fin}. {Pectorial rail}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Land rail} (b) under {Land}. {Pectorial sandpiper} (Zo["o]l.), the jacksnipe (b) .
\Pec"to*ral\, n. [L. pectorale a breastplate, neut. of pectorials.] 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.