adj.
Pronunciation: ' ch ā st
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: chast · er ; chast · est
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin castus pure
Date: 13th century
1 : innocent of unlawful sexual intercourse
2 : CELIBATE
3 : pure in thought and act : MODEST
4 a : severely simple in design or execution : AUSTERE < chaste classicism> b : CLEAN , SPOTLESS
– chaste · ly adverb
– chaste · ness \ ' ch ā s(t)-n ə s \ noun
synonyms CHASTE , PURE , MODEST , DECENT mean free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious. CHASTE primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows <they maintained chaste relations>. PURE differs from CHASTE in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions <the pure of heart>. MODEST and DECENT apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity <preferred more modest swimsuits> < decent people didn't go to such movies>.