pectoral
pectoral Lexical Profile
pectoral Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Of, relating to, or situated in or on the chest or breast.
"The physical therapist prescribed targeted exercises to strengthen his pectoral muscles after the shoulder injury."
Worn on the chest or breast, especially as an ecclesiastical or ceremonial ornament.
"The bishop wore a heavy golden pectoral cross suspended from a chain around his neck."
• noun
A muscle of the chest, especially the pectoralis major or pectoralis minor (usually used in the plural).
"Bench presses and push-ups are classic resistance exercises used to develop the pectorals."
A pectoral fin of a fish or marine mammal.
"The humpback whale slapped its long white pectorals against the surface of the water."
An ornamental breastplate, cross, or jewel worn on the chest, especially in ancient Egypt or in religious vestments.
"The museum exhibit featured an elaborate gold and lapis lazuli pectoral recovered from a royal tomb."
• Rhymes for pectoral
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French or directly from Latin pectoralis ('pertaining to the breast'), derived from pectus (genitive pectoris, 'breast, chest').