1 pastorale | Definition of pastorale
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pastorale

noun
pas·​to·​rale | \ ˌpa-stə-ˈräl How to pronounce pastorale (audio) , -ˈral also -ˈrä-lē How to pronounce pastorale (audio) \

Definition of pastorale

1a : an instrumental or vocal composition having a pastoral theme
b : an opera of the 16th or 17th centuries having a pastoral plot
2 : pastoral sense 1a

Examples of pastorale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Including 55 serious operas, 6 cantatas, 53 comic operas, 17 operettas, 6 sing-spiele, 4 ballets, 4 vaudevilles, 2 oratorios, one each of fares, pastorales, masques, ballads and buffas. — William Robin, New York Times, "Amy Beach, a Pioneering American Composer, Turns 150," 1 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pastorale.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of pastorale

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

History and Etymology for pastorale

Italian, from pastorale of herdsmen, from Latin pastoralis

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Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with pastorale

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