WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Pec"to*ral
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [L. pectoralis, fr. pectus, -oris the breast; cf. F. pectoral.]
Definition : 1. Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest; as, the pectoral muscles.

2. Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or lungs; as, a pectoral remedy.

3. (Zo?l.)

Defn: 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. -- Pectorial cross (Eccl.), a cross worn on the breast by bishops and abbots, and sometimes also by canons. -- Pectorial fins, or Pectorials (Zo?l.), fins situated on the sides, behind the gills. See Illust. under Fin. -- Pectorial rail. (Zo?l.) See Land rail (b) under Land. -- Pectorial sandpiper (Zo?l.), the jacksnipe (b).
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Pec"to*ral
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [L. pectorale a breastplate, neut. of pectorials.]
Definition : 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913