Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Pectoral
Pec′to-ral
(pĕk′tō̍-ral)
, Adj.
[L.
pectoralis
, fr. pectus
, -oris
the breast; cf. F. pectoral
.] 1.
Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest;
as, the
. pectoral
muscles2.
Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or lungs;
as, a
. pectoral
remedy3.
(Zool.)
Having the breast conspicuously colored;
as, the
. pectoral
sandpiperPectoral 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.
– Pectoral cross
(Eccl.)
, a cross worn on the breast by bishops and abbots, and sometimes also by canons.
– Pectoral fins
, or
Pectorals
(Zool.)
, fins situated on the sides, behind the gills. See Illust. under
– Fin
. Pectoral rail
. (Zool.)
– Pectoral sandpiper
(Zool.)
, the jacksnipe
(b)
.Pec′to-ral
,Noun.
[L.
pectorale
a breastplate, neut. of pectoralis
.] 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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Pectoral
PEC'TORAL
,Adj.
Pertaining to the breast; as the pectoral muscles; pectoral medicines.
The pectoral fins of a fish are situated on the sides of the fish, behind the gills.
PEC'TORAL
,Noun.
1.
A sacerdotal habit or vestment worn by the Jewish high priest, called in our version of the Bible, a breastplate.2.
A medicine adapted to cure or relieve complaints of the breast and lungs.