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pectoral cross

American  

noun

Ecclesiastical.
  1. a cross worn on the breast by various prelates, as a designation of office.


Etymology

Origin of pectoral cross

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some eagle-eyed people noticed that in the fake image of Pope Francis, the traditional pectoral cross around his neck only had one strap.

From Washington Post • Mar. 31, 2023

Perhaps, he mused, his metal pectoral cross had triggered an alarm.

From New York Times • Dec. 26, 2021

The pectoral cross has survived with its intricate spiral chain, from which it would have been suspended from the neck, displayed across the chest.

From The Guardian • Dec. 13, 2020

In 2016, Francis made Czerny his personal point-man on migrant issues, and the pectoral cross he sported Saturday showed he took the mission to heart: It was made of wood from a migrant ship.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 6, 2019

Father Stylianopoulos, wearing a tall kalimafkion on his head and a large pectoral cross, came to the house at ten in the morning.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

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