| Pectoral | a. [ L. pectoralis, fr. pectus, -oris the breast; cf. F. pectoral. ] 1. Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest; as, the pectoral muscles. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or lungs; as, a pectoral remedy. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. (Zool.) Having the breast conspicuously colored; as, the pectoral sandpiper. [ 1913 Webster ]
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 (Zool.), fins situated on the sides, behind the gills. See Illust. under Fin. --
Pectoral rail. (Zool.) See Land rail (b) under Land. --
Pectoral sandpiper (Zool.), the jacksnipe (b). [ 1913 Webster ]
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| Pectoral | n. [ L. pectorale a breastplate, neut. of pectoralis. ] 1. A covering or protecting for the breast. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (Eccl.) (a) A breastplate, esp. that worn by the Jewish high person. (b) A clasp or a cross worn on the breast. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. A medicine for diseases of the chest organs, especially the lungs. [ 1913 Webster ] |
