pectoral meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

pectoral

adj

US /pɛkˈtoɹəl/ · /ˈpɛk.tə.ɹəl/

Etymology All senses are ultimately from Latin pectorālis, but some may have come through Old French and Middle English.

Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest.

the pectoral muscles
Clad in red robes and a gold pectoral cross, Agostini finally lowered his gaze as he crossed the marble floor.1985, Stephen Marley, Managra, page 14:

1 more example

... 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...1986, John le Carré, A Perfect Spy:

Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or lungs.

But, in general, a few days' confinement, abstinence from flesh meat, and frequent sippings of some tepid pectoral drink, sufficed for the cure.1852, Theophilus Thompson, Annals of Influenza Or Epidemic Catarrhal Fever in Great Britain from 1510 to 1837, page 107:

Biology, Natural sciences, Zoology Having the breast conspicuously colored.

Derived terms: antepectoral, clavipectoral, coracopectoral, deltopectoral, interpectoral, lateral pectoral nerve, neopectoral, pectoral angina, pectorally, pectoral quail, pectoral theology, subpectoral

noun

Etymology All senses are ultimately from Latin pectorālis, but some may have come through Old French and Middle English.

7 senses

A pectoral fin.

Protective armor for a horse's breast.

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.1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 30:

A covering or protection for the breast.

A breastplate, especially that worn by the Jewish high priest.

Ecclesiastical, Lifestyle, Religion 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: genupectoral, pec, pectoral arch, pectoral cross, pectoral fin, pectoral girdle, pectoral muscle, pectoral rail, pectoral sandpiper, prepectoral, retropectoral
Related terms: Pectoral in the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition, 1911)