The Collaborative International Dictionary
Pectoral \Pec"to*ral\ (p[e^]k"t[-o]*ral), a. [L. pectoralis, fr. pectus, -oris the breast; cf. F. pectoral.]
Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest; as, the pectoral muscles.
Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or lungs; as, a pectoral remedy.
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(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.
Pectoral cross (Eccl.), a cross worn on the breast by bishops and abbots, and sometimes also by canons.
Pectoral fins, or Pectorals (Zo["o]l.), fins situated on the sides, behind the gills. See Illust. under Fin.
Pectoral rail. (Zo["o]l.) See Land rail (b) under Land.
Pectoral sandpiper (Zo["o]l.), the jacksnipe (b) .
Wikipedia
A pectoral cross or pectorale (from the Latin pectoralis, "of the chest") is a cross that is worn on the chest, usually suspended from the neck by a cord or chain. In ancient and medieval times pectoral crosses were worn by both clergy and laity, but by the end of the Middle Ages the pectoral cross came to be a special indicator of position worn by bishops, and the wearing of a pectoral cross is now restricted to popes, cardinals, bishops and abbots. The modern pectoral cross is relatively large, and is different from the small crosses worn on necklaces by many Christians. Most pectoral crosses are made of precious metals (platinum, gold or silver) and some contain precious or semi-precious gems. Some contain a corpus like a crucifix while others use stylized designs and religious symbols.
In many Christian denominations, it is a sign that the person wearing it is a member of the clergy and it may signify that the wearer is a member of the higher or senior clergy; however, in many Western churches there are an increasing number of laypeople who choose to wear some form of a cross around their neck.
While many Christians, both clergy and laity, wear crosses, the pectoral cross is distinguished by both its size (up to six inches across) and that it is worn in the center of the chest below the heart (as opposed to just below the collarbones).
Throughout the centuries, many pectoral crosses have been made in the form of reliquaries which contain alleged fragments of the True Cross or relics of saints. Some such reliquary pectorals are hinged so that they open to reveal the relic, or the relic may be visible from the front through glass.
Usage examples of "pectoral cross".
He was wearing a coyote-skin robe, and the only hint of his office was the pectoral cross that nestled in the black fur on his chest and flashed with candlelight whenever he turned toward the desk.
Finally he stood before them clad only in the violet cassock, slippers, and skullcap of a bishop, clasping the jewelled pectoral cross on his breast in silent affirmation of his continued defiance.
Arilan considered the suggestion, running his pectoral cross back and forth distractedly on its chain, then lowered his gaze.
He stood a bit taller than the others and was the only one with a prominent silver pectoral cross.
He raised the pectoral cross and held it in front of him like a shield.
Hilgemann frowned down at her desk, playing with her pectoral cross as she considered.
Bishop Ailin now led the company, a scarlet cope sweeping from his shoulders and his pectoral cross hanging outside his black leather brigandine where it might be seen.
Warin walked slowly to the prie-dieu and touched a heavy pectoral cross and chain draped across the arm rest, then let his hand tighten convulsively around the mass of silver.
The Bishop fiddled a bit more with his pectoral cross, then plunged into his story.
He wore on a chain around his neck a large pectoral cross of gold.
After another pat to be sure that the jewelled, pectoral cross of Skiros/Gold still hung from his neck, he again crouched and trotted down toward the camp, paced by Whitetip.