pastoral
UK: ˈpɑːstərəl | US: ˈpæstərəl
adj. relating to the countryside or rural life; idyllic and peaceful
adj. relating to the duties or work of a pastor or shepherd
n. a work of art, literature, or music portraying rural life
pastoral = past<feed, graze> + or<agent suffix> + al<adjective suffix>
- past (from Latin pascere, meaning "to feed" or "to graze")
- or (agentive suffix indicating a person or thing that performs an action)
- al (adjective-forming suffix)
Etymology Origin:
The word pastoral originates from Latin pastoralis, derived from pastor (shepherd), which itself comes from pascere (to feed). The term initially described the life and duties of shepherds, later expanding to depict idealized rural life in art and literature. The suffix -al transforms it into an adjective, emphasizing its connection to pastoral themes.
The novel depicts a pastoral scene of shepherds tending their flocks.
His paintings often feature pastoral landscapes with rolling hills.
The priest’s pastoral duties include counseling parishioners.
The symphony’s pastoral movement evokes the tranquility of nature.
She prefers the pastoral simplicity of village life over urban chaos.