'Pectoral fins' definitions:

Definition of 'Pectoral fins'

From: GCIDE
  • Pectoral \Pec"to*ral\ (p[e^]k"t[-o]*ral), a. [L. pectoralis, fr. pectus, -oris the breast; cf. F. pectoral.]
  • 1. Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest; as, the pectoral muscles. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or lungs; as, a pectoral remedy. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Zool.) 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 (Zool.), fins situated on the sides, behind the gills. See Illust. under Fin.
  • Pectoral rail. (Zool.) See Land rail (b) under Land.
  • Pectoral sandpiper (Zool.), the jacksnipe (b) . [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Pectoral fins'