[chas.ten] vt chas.tened ; chas.ten.ing [alter. of obs. E chaste to chasten, fr. ME, fr. OF chastier, fr. L castigare, fr. castus + -igare (fr. agere to drive)--more at act] (13c) 1: to correct by punishment or suffering: discipline; also: purify
2. a: to prune (as a work or style of art) of excess, pretense, or falsity: refine b: to cause to be more humble or restrained: subdue syn see punish -- chas.ten.er n