Chast
(Chast) v. t. to chasten. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Chaste
(Chaste) a. [F. chaste, from L. castus pure, chaste; cf. Gr. kaqaro`s pure, Skr. çudth
to purify.]
1. Pure from unlawful sexual intercourse; virtuous; continent. "As chaste as Diana." Shak.
Whose bed is undefiled and chaste pronounced.
Milton.
2. Pure in thought and act; innocent; free from lewdness and obscenity, or indecency in act or speech; modest; as,
a chaste mind; chaste eyes.
3. Pure in design and expression; correct; free from barbarisms or vulgarisms; refined; simple; as, a chaste
style in composition or art.
That great model of chaste, lofty, and eloquence, the Book of Common Prayer.
Macaulay.
4. Unmarried. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Syn. — Undefiled; pure; virtuous; continent; immaculate; spotless.
Chaste tree. Same as Agnus castus.
Chastely
(Chaste"ly), adv. In a chaste manner; with purity.
Chasten
(Chas"ten) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Chastened (-s'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Chastening.] [OE. chastien,
OF. Chastier, F. Chtier, fr. L. castigare to punish, chastise; castus pure + agere to lead, drive. See
Chaste, Act, and cf. Castigate, Chastise.]
1. To correct by punishment; to inflict pain upon the purpose of reclaiming; to discipline; as, to chasten a
son with a rod.
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.
Heb. xii. 6.
2. To purify from errors or faults; to refine.
They [classics] chasten and enlarge the mind, and excite to noble actions.
Layard.
Syn. — To chastise; punish; correct; discipline; castigate; afflict; subdue; purify. To Chasten, Punish, Chastise.
To chasten is to subject to affliction or trouble, in order to produce a general change for the better in life
or character. To punish is to inflict penalty for violation of law, disobedience to authority, or intentional
wrongdoing. To chastise is to punish a particular offense, as with stripes, especially with the hope that
suffering or disgrace may prevent a repetition of faults.
Chastened
(Chas"tened) a. Corrected; disciplined; refined; purified; toned down. Sir. W. Scott.
Of such a finished chastened purity.
Tennyson.
Chastener
(Chas"ten*er) n. One who chastens.
Chasteness
(Chaste"ness) n.
1. Chastity; purity.
2. (Literature & Art) Freedom from all that is meretricious, gaudy, or affected; as, chasteness of design.
Chastisable
(Chas*tis"a*ble) a. Capable or deserving of chastisement; punishable. Sherwood.
