pectoral, a. [L. pectoralis, fr. pectus, -oris the breast; cf. F. pectoral.].
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Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest; as, the pectoral muscles. [1913 Webster]
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Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or lungs; as, a pectoral remedy. [1913 Webster]
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Having the breast conspicuously colored; as, the pectoral sandpiper. [1913 Webster]
Pectoral arch, or Pectoral girdle (Anat.), 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 (Eccl.), a cross worn on the breast by bishops and abbots, and sometimes also by canons. -- Pectoral fins, or Pectorals (Zoöl.), fins situated on the sides, behind the gills. See Illust. under Fin. -- Pectoral rail. (Zoöl.) See Land rail (b) under Land. -- Pectoral sandpiper (Zoöl.), the jacksnipe (b).