pectoral

views updated May 17 2018

pec·to·ral / ˈpektərəl/ • adj. of or relating to the breast or chest: pectoral development. ∎  worn on the chest: a pectoral shield.• n. (usu. pectorals) a pectoral muscle. ∎  a pectoral fin. ∎  an ornamental breastplate, esp. one worn by a Jewish high priest.

pectoral

views updated May 21 2018

pectoral (pek-ter-ăl) adj. relating to the chest or breast. p. girdle see shoulder girdle. p. muscles the chest muscles: the pectoralis major, which draws the arm forward across the chest, and the pectoralis minor, which depresses the shoulder.

pectoral

views updated May 14 2018

pectoral pert. to the breast or chest XVI; sb. object worn on the breast XV; medicine for affections of the chest XVII. — (O)F. — L. pectorālis, f. pectus, -tor- breast, chest.