pectoral
Noun · AdjectiveOpen English WordNet
Noun (2)pectorals
- either of two large muscles of the chestSynonyms: pectoral musclepectoralismusculus pectoralispecsType of skeletal muscle, striated muscleKinds pectoralis major, pectoralis minorPart of thorax, chest
- an adornment worn on the chest or breastSynonyms: pectoral medallionType of adornment
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: L. pectoralis, fr. pectus, -oris the breast; cf. F. pectoral.
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. Zoology Having the breast conspicuously colored; as, the pectoral sandpiper.
Pectoral arch, or Pectoral girdle Anatomy, 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 Church, a cross worn on the breast by bishops and abbots, and sometimes also by canons. — Pectoral fins, or Pectorals Zoology, fins situated on the sides, behind the gills. See Illust. under Fin. — Pectoral rail. Zoology See Land rail (b) under Land. — Pectoral sandpiper Zoology, the jacksnipe (b).
Origin: L. pectorale a breastplate, neut. of pectoralis.
1. A covering or protecting for the breast.
2. Church (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’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54