ˈkastəˌgāt, -aas-, usu -ād.+V transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin castigatus, past participle of castigare to correct, punish — more at chasten
1.
a. : to punish or subdue by punishment
castigate thy pride — Shakespeare
b. : to reprove for error or criticize with drastic severity
those poems in which he castigates man's general inhumanity and lack of sincerity — J.G.Southworth
not even the ablest critic can castigate an artless generation into repentance and creative vigor — A.J.Barnouw
2. : to correct or revise (a literary text)
3. obsolete : to tone down or subdue in intensity or boldness
Synonyms: see punish