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Pectoral

Jewellery
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A large ornamental piece worn on the chest. It is especially associated with ceremonial and ancient adornment.

Detailed Definition
A pectoral is a broad decorative ornament worn over the breast or upper chest, sometimes formed from metal plaques, beads, gems, or symbolic motifs. Ancient Egyptian pectorals and ceremonial breast ornaments give the word a sense of ritual power and sacred display. In poetry, it can resemble armour made beautiful, guarding the heart while revealing rank or faith. Its position over the chest makes it apt for images of courage, grief, pride, and hidden vulnerability.
Example
Example in poetry:
“The gold pectoral lay bright upon the warrior’s chest” uses a chest ornament to convey rank and protection; A poet can compare a lover’s locket to a pectoral when it rests directly over the heart; “Her pectoral of turquoise held a small sky against her breast” uses the jewel’s position and colour to create imagery; In a historical poem, a royal pectoral can symbolize public authority worn over private feeling
Additional Notes
Pectorals appear in ancient Egyptian and ceremonial imagery, where chest ornament can imply authority, protection, or sacred status.
Also Known As
Breastplate Pectoral Ornament
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