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pectoral

 - 7 dictionary results
Pectoralis
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pec⋅to⋅ral

  [pek-ter-uhl]
Use pectoral in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of, in, on, or pertaining to the chest or breast; thoracic.
2. worn on the breast or chest.
3. proceeding from the heart or inner consciousness.
4. Speech. (of a vocal quality) appearing to come from resonance in the chest; full or deep.
5. of or for diseases of the lungs.
–noun
6. Anatomy. a pectoral part or organ, as a pectoral muscle.
7. pectoral fin.
8. something worn on the breast for ornament, protection, etc., as a breastplate.
Origin:
1400–50; (n.) late ME < L pectorāle, n. use of neut. of pectorālis of the breast (pector-, s. of pectus breast + -ālis -al 1 ); (adj.) < L pectorālis

Related forms:
pec⋅to⋅ral⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Pectoralis
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pec·to·ral   (pěk'tər-əl)   
adj.  

  1. Relating to or situated in the breast or chest: a pectoral muscle; the pectoral cavity.

  2. Useful in relieving disorders of the chest or respiratory tract.

  3. Worn on the chest or breast: a pectoral cross.

n.  

  1. A muscle or organ of the chest.

  2. A pectoral fin.

  3. A medicine for relieving disorders of the chest or respiratory tract.

  4. An ornament or decoration worn on the chest.


[Probably Latin pectorālis, from pectus, pector-, breast. N., sense 4, Middle English, from Old French, from Latin pectorāle, breastplate, from neuter of pectorālis.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

pectoral  (adj.)
1578, "pertaining to the breast," from L. pectoralis "of the breast," from pectus (gen. pectoris) "breast, chest." The noun, short for pectoral muscle, is attested from 1758. Slang noun pec is first recorded 1966.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1pec·to·ral
Pronunciation: 'pek-t(&-)r&l
Function: noun
1 : a pectoral part or organ; especially : PECTORALIS
2 : a medicinal substance for treating diseases of the respiratory tract

Main Entry: 2pectoral
Function: adjective
1 : of, relating to, or occurring in or on the chest <pectoral arch>
2 : relating to or good for diseases of the respiratory tract pectoral syrup>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

pectoral pec·to·ral (pěk'tər-əl)
adj.

  1. Relating to or situated in the breast or chest.

  2. Useful in relieving disorders of the chest or respiratory tract.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
pectoral   (pěk'tər-əl)  Pronunciation Key 
Located in or attached to the chest, as a pectoral fin or a pectoral muscle.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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